INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Aid Statistics

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development to how many countries his Department has contributed funds via basket funding alongside other donors.

Hilary Benn: There is no standardised definition of a basket fund. For the basis of this question, DFID has determined a basket fund to be a fund where
	(a) at least two donors pool resources into a common bank account to support a government to implement an agreed sector programme or set of activities; and
	(b) procedures relating to the operation of the bank account are additional to government's own procedures; and
	(c) are governed by an agreement between government and donors.
	On this basis DFID contributed to some 45 basket funds in the following 18 countries in 2005:
	Ghana
	DRC
	Ethiopia
	Malawi
	Mozambique
	Rwanda
	Tanzania
	Uganda
	Zambia
	Bangladesh
	Cambodia
	Nepal
	Pakistan
	Vietnam
	Bolivia
	Guyana
	Nicaragua
	Palestine.

Aid Statistics

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the value is, as a proportion of recipient countries' gross domestic products, of  (a) UK and  (b) all bilateral and multilateral donors' aid to all countries in receipt of UK aid.

Hilary Benn: The value of official development assistance (ODA) and official aid (OA) in 2004 as a proportion of gross national income provided to recipient countries by  (a) the UK and  (b) all bilateral and multilateral donors is shown in Table 1. This information is collated by the Development Co-operation Directive of the OECD and is also available via its website at oecd.org/dac/stats. Data for 2005 are not yet available. Gross national income (GNI) comprises the total value of goods and services produced within a country (gross domestic product) together with its income received from other countries less similar payments made to other countries. Gross national income is the internationally preferred measure for aid comparison purposes.
	
		
			  Table 1: Total ODA/OA as percentage of GNI for recipients of UK aid, 2004 
			   UK  All donors 
			 Afghanistan 3.9 38.0 
			 Albania 0.1 4.7 
			 Algeria 0.0 0.4 
			 Angola 0.1 6.5 
			 Anguilla (1)— (1)— 
			 Antigua a Barbuda 0.0 0.2 
			 Armenia 0.2 7.1 
			 Azerbaijan 0.0 2.3 
			 Bangladesh 0.4 2.3 
			 Barbados (1)— (1)— 
			 Belarus 0.0 0.2 
			 Belize 0.0 0.7 
			 Bolivia 0.6 9.1 
			 Bosnia-Herzegovina 0.1 8.0 
			 Botswana 0.0 0.5 
			 Brazil 0.0 0.0 
			 Bulgaria 0.0 2.6 
			 Burkina Faso 0.1 12.7 
			 Burundi 1.5 54.8 
			 Cambodia 0.4 11.1 
			 Cameroon 0.2 5.3 
			 Chad 0.3 12.1 
			 Chile 0.0 0.1 
			 China 0.0 0.1 
			 Colombia 0.0 0.6 
			 Congo Democratic Republic (Zaire) 4.7 28.6 
			 Congo, Republic 0.1 3.5 
			 Costa Rica -0.1 0.1 
			 Cote d'Ivoire 0.0 1.1 
			 Croatia 0.0 0.4 
			 Cuba (1)— (1)— 
			 Dominica -1.4 11.6 
			 Dominican Republic 0.0 0.5 
			 Ecuador -0.1 0.6 
			 Egypt 0.1 1.9 
			 El Salvador 0.0 1.4 
			 Eritrea 0.6 28.4 
			 Ethiopia 1.8 22.8 
			 FYROM-Macedonia 0.1 4.8 
			 Gambia 0.1 15.9 
			 Georgia 0.1 6.3 
			 Ghana 3.1 16.0 
			 Grenada 0.2 4.0 
			 Guatemala 0.0 0.8 
			 Guinea 0.1 8.1 
			 Guyana 2.7 17.8 
			 Haiti 0.1 6.9 
			 Honduras 0.0 9.1 
			 India 0.1 0.1 
			 Indonesia 0.0 0.0 
			 Iran 0.0 0.1 
			 Iraq (1)— (1)— 
			 Jamaica 0.1 1.0 
			 Jordan 0.0 5.1 
			 Kazakhstan 0.0 0.7 
			 Kenya 0.3 4.1 
			 Korea, Dem. Rep. (1)— (1)— 
			 Kyrgyzstan 0.3 12.3 
			 Laos 0.1 11.7 
			 Lebanon 0.0 1.2 
			 Lesotho 0.4 6.0 
			 Liberia 4.3 55.1 
			 Madagascar 0.6 28.9 
			 Malawi 6.7 26.9 
			 Malaysia 0.0 0.3 
			 Maldives 0.1 3.9 
			 Mali 0.0 12.2 
			 Mauritania 0.0 14.5 
			 Mauritius 0.0 0.6 
			 Mexico 0.0 0.0 
			 Moldova 0.2 4.1 
			 Mongolia 0.5 17.3 
			 Montserrat (1)— (1)— 
			 Morocco 0.0 1.4 
			 Mozambique 1.3 23.7 
			 Myanmar (Burma) (1)— (1)— 
			 Namibia 0.0 3.0 
			 Nepal 1.0 6.4 
			 Nicaragua 0.3 28.9 
			 Niger 0.3 17.5 
			 Nigeria 0.2 1.0 
			 Pakistan 0.1 1.5 
			 Palestinian adm. areas (1)— (1)— 
			 Panama 0.0 0.3 
			 Paraguay 0.0 0.3 
			 Peru 0.0 0.7 
			 Philippines 0.0 0.5 
			 Romania 0.0 1.3 
			 Russia 0.0 0.2 
			 Rwanda 3.2 25.8 
			 Senegal 0.1 13.9 
			 Serbia and Montenegro 0.0 4.9 
			 Seychelles 0.0 1.5 
			 Sierra Leone 5.8 34.3 
			 Singapore 0.0 0.0 
			 Slovak Republic 0.0 0.6 
			 Slovenia 0.0 0.2 
			 Somalia (1)— (1)— 
			 South Africa 0.0 0.3 
			 Sri Lanka 0.1 2.7 
			 St. Helena (1)— (1)— 
			 St. Lucia -4.1 -3.2 
			 St. Vincent and Grenadines 0.0 2.7 
			 States of ex Yugoslavia (unspecified) (1)— (1)— 
			 Sudan 0.6 4.9 
			 Swaziland 0.1 4.8 
			 Syria 0.0 0.5 
			 Tajikistan 0.1 12.0 
			 Tanzania 2.0 16.2 
			 Thailand 0.0 0.0 
			 Timor-Leste 0.1 31.6 
			 Togo 0.0 3.0 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 0.0 0.0 
			 Turkey 0.0 0.1 
			 Turkmenistan 0.0 0.6 
			 Turks and Caicos Islands (1)— (1)— 
			 Uganda 1.6 17.3 
			 Ukraine 0.0 0.6 
			 Uzbekistan 0.0 2.1 
			 Venezuela 0.0 0.0 
			 Vietnam 0.2 4.1 
			 Yemen 0.1 2.1 
			 Zambia 5.4 20.7 
			 Zimbabwe (1)— (1)— 
			 (1) GNI figure is not available  Note: 0.0 per cent. means less than 0.05 per cent.  Source: DAC On-line (Reference Section: Total Net ODA/OA DAC2a)

Aid Statistics

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on  (a) (i) direct budgetary support, (ii) humanitarian assistance, (iii) technical assistance and (iv) grants in kind, broken down by recipient country and  (b) multilateral projects, broken down by multilateral agency, in (A) 2003-04, (B) 2004-05 and (C) 2005-06.

Hilary Benn: This information is published in Table 12 and Table 16 of "Statistics on International Development 2001/02-2005/06", a copy of which is available in the Library.

Aid Statistics

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which projects with a value of  (a) between £100,000 and £1,000,000 and  (b) over £1,000,000 were funded by his Department in (i) India, (ii) Bangladesh, (iii) Sudan, (iv) Tanzania, (v) Afghanistan, (vi) Pakistan, (vii) Ghana, (viii) Nigeria, (ix) Uganda, (x) China, (xi) Indonesia, (xii) Kenya, (xiii) Ethiopia and (xiv) Democratic Republic of the Congo in each of the last three years.

Hilary Benn: The required information is contained in Table PQ101169  (a): Projects funded by DFID, between 2003-04 and 2005-06 with a value of between £100,000 and £1,000,000 and Table PQ101169  (b): Projects funded by DFID, between 2003-04 and 2005-06 with a value of over £1,000,000, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The funding information relates to the total commitment value of the project in the year that the project was approved. The final expenditure on each project may be spread over several years and may be different from the original commitment value.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was paid in bonuses to civil servants in his Department each year since 2001-02; and how many civil servants received bonuses in each year.

Gareth Thomas: The following tables give the number of non-pensionable bonuses awarded to DFID staff in each of the last four years (figures for 2001-02 are not available) together with the total costs in each of those years.
	
		
			  Non-pensionable bonuses awarded to DFID senior civil servants (SCS) 
			   Number of awards  Total cost (£) 
			 2002-03 27 85,051 
			 2003-04 57 189,500 
			 2004-05 68 266,750 
			 2005-06 65 377,100 
		
	
	
		
			  Non-pensionable bonuses awarded to DFID staff below SCS 
			   Number of awards  Total cost (£) 
			 2002-03 323 292,528 
			 2003-04 654 285,601 
			 2004-05 508 230,600 
			 2005-06 1,106 515,865

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what criteria a civil servant in his Department must fulfil  (a) to be considered for a bonus on top of their regular salary and  (b) to be awarded a bonus.

Gareth Thomas: Different arrangements apply to the bonus awards paid to senior civil servants (SCS) and those paid to staff in grades below the SCS.
	 Senior civil servants (SCS)
	In addition to base pay increases, SCS are eligible for non-consolidated bonus awards. Bonuses are intended to reward delivery of personal business objectives during the reporting year, or other short-term personal contributions to wider organisational objectives. In considering SCS staff for bonuses, line managers are asked to take into account:
	performance against agreed priority business objectives or targets;
	total delivery record over the year;
	relative stretch (i.e. the challenge of the job compared to that of others); and
	responses to unforeseen events.
	DFID's SCS Pay Committee considers line managers' recommendations and make their final decision on who should receive a bonus award based on the evidence provided.
	 Staff below the SCS
	DFID operates a Special Achievement Award (SAA) scheme for staff below the SCS. The scheme rewards and recognises staff (both individuals and teams) who make a special contribution in line with DFID values. Awards can be made throughout the year. To be eligible for consideration for an award, individuals or teams need to complete a piece of work or make a sustained effort that makes a special contribution to the work of DFID.
	Because of the wide range of work undertaken by DFID, both at home and overseas, we have not defined broad criteria across the organisation as a whole. Directors define and publish specific criteria for Special Achievement Awards within their Divisions. This will typically include:
	sustained effort in unusual circumstances;
	a one off high quality contribution;
	innovative thinking which helps the office operate more efficiently; and
	going the "extra mile" to achieve a particular task or objective.
	Nominations for SAAs are passed to Directors for consideration and are marked successful or unsuccessful. Directors share their Divisional criteria with fellow Directors for information, with the aim of promoting consistency across DFID.

Climate Change Adaptation Fund

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution the UK has made to the Climate Change Adaptation Fund agreed on 14 November at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change CoP12 Conference in Nairobi.

Hilary Benn: The Adaptation Fund is not yet operational. The recent 12th Conference of Parties (CoP12) to the Climate Change Convention agreed some elements of operational guidance for the fund. We expect that other key elements of guidance, such as the management agency, will be agreed at CoP13 in 2007, so that the fund can become operational in 2008.
	The fund will be financed primarily from a 2 per cent. levy on the value of emission offset projects in developing countries under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol.
	The UK Government have committed a total of £20 million to the UN Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) and the UN Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) which have been operational since 2004 and 2005 respectively. The UK is the largest donor to the SCCF and the second largest donor to the LDCF.

Darfur

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the likely impact on international aid projects in the region of the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force due to enter Darfur; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: It is crucial that the arrangements for the AU-UN joint peace keeping force for Darfur are fully agreed by the Government of Sudan. They also need to agree the other elements of the conclusions of the Addis Ababa meeting, including a ceasefire and the resumption of the political process in Darfur.
	The planned UN reinforcement of AMIS, of which the hybrid force is the third stage, should provide much needed increased security and protection for millions of civilians. It should also provide the conditions necessary to enable the international humanitarian agencies reach the people who are in desperate need of assistance.

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which statistics have been put forward by his Department for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets his Department has produced in total in each of the last five years.

Hilary Benn: The current list of National Statistics produced by DFID can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ns_ons/nsproducts/default.asp
	A list of changes to the scope of National Statistics (additions and withdrawals) in each of the last five years can be found in the relevant National Statistics annual report available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1051
	In addition to National Statistics, DFID publishes a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including other data produced from the management and administration of the department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term "statistics sets" and no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

EU Association Agreements

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what steps the Government are taking to ensure that the Association Agreements the EU will begin negotiating in January 2007 with Latin American countries are consistent with the UK's development policy;
	(2)  what assessment he has made on the progress of the negotiations on the EU-Latin America Association Agreements; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the impact the Association Agreements which the EU will begin negotiating in January 2007 with Latin American countries will have on efforts to meet the millennium development goals in that region;
	(4)  what discussions  (a) he and  (b) his officials have had with (i) the European Commission and (ii) other EU member states on plans for impact assessments for Latin American countries to be carried out on the EU-Latin America Association Agreements.

Gareth Thomas: The UK Government continue to closely assess negotiations on the various Association Agreements (AA) proposed between the EU and Latin America (EU-LA). Progress towards an EU-Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and since July, Venezuela) AA has been slower than the UK would have wished, though ultimately the overall substance is significantly more important than the timing. The UK remains committed to an ambitious, balanced and mutually beneficial agreement, and believe it will be important for our strategic partnership with Latin America. Agreements between EU-Andean Community (CAN) and EU-Central America (CA) are in the formative stages of negotiations, having been launched earlier in the year. The European Commission is expected to adopt draft negotiating directives on future agreements with CA and CAN early in December. We will have the further opportunity to discuss these shortly thereafter in various EU-LA working groups in Brussels, which we regularly attend.
	The Community of Andean Nations (CAN) and the Central America countries (CA) have been deepening their relations with the EU over recent years. At the EU-Latin America Caribbean (LAC) Ministerial Summit, held in Guadalajara in 2004, the EU committed to starting negotiations for Association Agreements with both the Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama), and with the Andean Community (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela—Venezuela withdrew from CAN in April 2006, and has since joined Mercosur). These commitments were made with the proviso that the respective Latin American regions first undertake a satisfactory level of regional economic integration, to be evaluated by joint assessment exercises.
	Following a positive outcome of the joint assessment exercise on regional economic integration carried out with Central America, the May 2006 Vienna EU-LAC Ministerial Summit agreed to launch negotiations for an Association Agreement between the EU and the Central American countries. The draft negotiating directives for an EU-CA Association Agreement are expected to be ready for discussion at the Commission's Latin American working group, AMLAT, in December.
	DFID has been supporting small enterprises and rural producers in Central America to prepare for their participation in the negotiations. DFID has also been working locally with the European Commission and International Financial Institutions to ensure their support to small enterprises will enable them to participate fully in the trade opportunities the negotiations will present. This will help ensure that the increased trading between the two regions will actively contribute to efforts to meet the millennium development goals in Central America.
	In South America, the Government of Chile and the EU will be holding their first meeting with civil society representatives later this month in the framework of the Chile-EU Association Agreement.
	The EU-LAC Joint Declaration issued at the Vienna Summit in May this year reiterated the importance placed on:
	"enhanced cooperation between both regions in order to achieve higher levels of social cohesion, and it welcomed the Joint EU Statement on "The European Consensus on Development" which puts poverty eradication at the core of EU Development cooperation, in the context of sustainable development, including the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and which applies to all developing countries".
	In regard to the Andean Community, the respective joint assessment concluded that the level of CAN regional economic integration was not sufficient to progress to similar negotiations. It was therefore recommended at the Vienna Summit that the CAN and EU should hold further meetings to reach agreement on clearly defined areas of cooperation. A subsequent High Level Meeting between the Commission and the remaining CAN countries in July, concluded that sufficient clarity on areas of cooperation had been reached, and the next step should be for the representatives of CAN and the Commission to initiate internal consultations and undertake the necessary steps allowing for the launch of negotiations for an Association Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the occasions since he has held his present office when he has used  (a) rail services,  (b) the London underground,  (c) tram or light railway services and  (d) buses in connection with his ministerial duties.

Hilary Benn: This information is not recorded.

Refugees (Africa)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the number of refugees crossing into Kenya from Ethiopia and Somalia as a result of recent conflict.

Hilary Benn: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) monitors movements of refugees. UNHCR reports that 32,000 Somalis are seeking refuge in Kenya as a result of recent conflict in Somalia, in addition to the existing case load of 160,000.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Annual Canvass (Armed Forces)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what work the Electoral Commission has carried out during the annual canvass to encourage members of the armed services to register to vote; and what the impact of the work has been.

Peter Viggers: The Commission informs me that, together with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), it has launched a campaign in support of the annual canvass to encourage service personnel to register. This has involved sending over 250,000 registration leaflets to over 4,000 military units across the globe; appointing Unit Registration Officers who arranged Service Electoral Registration Days within units; placing registration reminder messages on service personnel payslips; and publishing articles in a range of service publications. Electoral Registration Officers have been encouraged to work closely with Unit Registration Officers to maximise registration and to monitor the success of the campaign.
	The Commission and the MOD will be conducting a thorough evaluation of the campaign, which will include the MOD repeating the survey it conducted during the 2005 annual canvass to monitor registration levels and awareness among service personnel. The results from this will be available in spring 2007. Initial evidence suggests that this year's campaign has been more successful in encouraging service personnel to register than that in 2005.

Electoral Commission

Oliver Heald: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission how much the Electoral Commission  (a) spent on hospitality in each year since its creation and  (b) has spent in 2006-07.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that the information sought by my hon. Friend is not available in the precise form requested.
	Expenditure specifically recorded as hospitality in the Commission's accounts for each of the years from 2002-03 to 2005-06 was as shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Amount (£) 
			 2002-03 34,888 
			 2003-04 52,011 
			 2004-05 58,286 
			 2005-06 45,294 
		
	
	Expenditure to date in 2006-07 is just under £51,000.
	Corresponding figures for 2000-01 and 2001-02, the first two financial years of the Commission's existence, are not available.
	Other Commission expenditure may include incidental elements of hospitality, but these cannot readily be separately identified.

TRANSPORT

A1

David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to dual the A1 between Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Stephen Ladyman: In the recent regional funding allocation exercise the north east region did not put the two proposed A1 dualling schemes between Newcastle and the Scottish Border high on their list of priorities. This means they will not now be taken forward within the 10 year funding period. Transport Scotland has no proposals for further dualling of their section of the A1 between Berwick and Edinburgh.

Aerodrome Designation

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he uses in deciding whether to designate an aerodrome under section 80 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982, to assess whether there is a need to mitigate the effect of noise and vibration connected with the taking off or landing of aircraft.

Gillian Merron: There are no set criteria for deciding whether to designate an aerodrome under section 80 for the purposes of section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982. Each case will be judged on its merits based on the principle that airports should strike a reasonable balance between the interests of the aviation industry and those of affected communities.

Aircraft Crashes

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what aircraft crashes there have been in England in each of the last five years; which of these involved a Cessna 206 aircraft; and in which cases there were resulting fatalities.

Gillian Merron: The following table details the number of reportable accidents and incidents in the UK over the last five years investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), in accordance with the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1996.
	The Report Form figure indicates accidents/incidents in the UK dealt with by correspondence only, with a report form being completed by the commander of an aircraft.
	The Field figure represents the more serious accidents and incidents investigated by a team of AAIB inspectors, usually deployed to the scene of an accident/incident. This Field figure includes all fatal accidents in the UK (also quoted separately).
	
		
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Report Form 220 257 168 243 240 
			 Field 67 82 67 78 78 
			 Fatal accidents 12 15 18 18 13 
		
	
	
		
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  Cessna 206  
			 Report form 0 1 0 2 0 
			 Field 1 0 1 0 0 
			 Fatal accidents 0 0 1 0 0 
		
	
	All AAIB UK Cessna 206 investigations since beginning of 2002:
	
		
			  Date  Aircraft type  Registration  Location  Invest type  Fatal/Non-fatal 
			 5 May 2002 Cessna U206F G-BAGV Strathallan Airfield, Perthshire Field Non-fatal accident 
			 24 August 2003 Cessna U206F G-STAT Strathallan Airfield, Perthshire Report Form Non-fatal accident 
			 27 June 2004 Cessna U206F G-BGED Beacon Village, near Honiton, Devon Field Fatal accident 
			 9 October 2005 Cessna U206 G-ATCE Lewknor, Oxfordshire Report Form Non-fatal accident 
			 20 October 2005 Cessna U206F G-BMHC Tilstock Airfield Preesheath, Whitchurch, Shropshire Report Form Non-fatal accident

Airline Services

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of Manchester Airport's  (a) proposed expansion and  (b) proposed increase in night flights on neighbouring communities.

Gillian Merron: The last assessment of the impact of UK airport expansion was the 2003 White Paper, The Future of Air Transport. This supported growth at Manchester airport, provided it was environmentally acceptable, and identified three key issues to inform the airport's expansion plans and their consideration by the planning system:
	(a) There should be the maximum reduction in noise levels, to minimise the number of people affected—including stringent limits on day and night-time noise, looking at least 10 years ahead;
	(b) Growth does not jeopardise air quality standards, which should be thoroughly monitored and evaluated;
	(c) The airport should work closely with local and regional partners to limit traffic growth—including better traffic management and, possibly, road user charging. Motorway improvements should be in harmony with environmental goals.

Aviation

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will respond to the conclusions and recommendations of  (a) the Review by the Light Aviation Airports Study Group and  (b) the Regulatory Review of General Aviation in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Light Aviation Airports Study Group presented its final report to the Civil Aviation Authority on 16 January 2006. A response from the Secretary of State was not required. On the Regulatory Review, I refer to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's written ministerial statement of 20 July 2006,  Official Report, column 54WS.

Aviation

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of people in each income quintile took  (a) no,  (b) one,  (c) two,  (d) three or four and  (e) five or more trips by aeroplane in 1997.

Gillian Merron: Data are not available for 1997.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid in bonuses to civil servants in his Department each year since 2001-02; and how many civil servants received bonuses in each year.

Gillian Merron: I refer my right hon. Friend to my answer of 8 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1562W.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria a civil servant in his Department must fulfil  (a) to be considered for a bonus on top of their regular salary and  (b) to be awarded a bonus.

Gillian Merron: All bonus payments are performance related. There are two types of bonus payment available within the Department for Transport.
	Performance related bonus payments are designed to reward and reflect performance over a reporting year. The criteria for receiving these are reviewed on an annual basis.
	Special performance bonus payments are intended to reward exceptional individual or team performance over a limited period in particularly demanding tasks or situations. These payments relate to specific tasks carried out exceptionally well: they are not intended to reflect continuous/sustained good performance throughout the year, which should be reflected in the performance appraisal system.

Cessna Crash (June 2004)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the  (a) members of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and  (b) other individuals involved in the investigation of the crash of a Cessna 206 aircraft in June 2004 which resulted in the death of Dr. Paul Norman; and what contact there has been between officials in his Department and officials from the Ministry of Defence on this crash.

Gillian Merron: The AAIB Inspectors involved were
	One Principal Inspector
	One Senior Inspector—Operations
	One Senior Inspector—Engineering
	One Senior Inspector—Engineering (Flight Recorders)
	There was no contact between officials of the AAIB and officials from the MOD with respect to this accident and its investigation.

CIA Gulfstream Jet

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what the  (a) starting destination and  (b) final destination were of the 80 flights by CIA Gulfstream jet registration N379P which took place between 2001 and 2003; what other information his Department holds on these flights; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many of the 80 flights by CIA Gulfstream jet registration N379P in 2001 to 2003  (a) refuelled at airports in the UK,  (b) landed at airports in the UK,  (c) passed through UK airspace without landing and  (d) collected individuals from the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer of 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1053W. The data published on the Department's website include all of the flight plan information that the Department holds in respect of Gulfstream jet registration N379P.

Concessionary Fares Scheme

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposed national concessionary fares scheme.

Gillian Merron: From April 2008, about 11 million older and disabled people resident in England will be entitled to free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England. The Government have earmarked up to an extra £250 million per year to fund this. We are consulting authorities, bus operators and other interested parties on the best framework for delivering the improved concessionary fares entitlement.

Concessionary Fares Scheme

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how free off-peak transport for the elderly and disabled will be funded.

Gillian Merron: Up to an extra £250 million per year has been earmarked for the new national bus fare concession from April 2008. No decision has been made on the funding mechanism. We are consulting local authorities, bus operators and other interested parties on the best framework for delivering the improved entitlement.

Crossrail

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been  (a) allocated and  (b) spent on the Crossrail project, broken down by financial year.

Tom Harris: In 2001, the then Secretary of State allocated £154 million to Cross London Rail Links Ltd. (CLRL) to introduce and support the Crossrail hybrid Bill, currently before Parliament. This was followed by a further allocation to CLRL of £100 million in December 2005 for continued project development. In addition, the Department's Bill and project development teams have incurred costs.
	Crossrail costs broken down by years are as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			  Financial year  CLRL costs  DfT costs 
			 2001-02 5.3 — 
			 2002-03 25.2 — 
			 2003-04 31.5 1.45 
			 2004-05 44.4 2.66 
			 2005-06 42.6 3.66 
			 2006-07 (1)47 (2)2.12 
			 (1 )to 14 October 2006 (2 )to end October 2006

Drink/Drug-driving

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents were caused by drink-driving in each year since 1997, broken down by police force area.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer of 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 256W.

Drink/Drug-driving

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accident fatalities were caused by or contributed to by driving under the influence of drugs in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: There were 59 fatalities resulting from personal injury road accidents in which at least one driver had impaired by drugs (illicit or medicinal) as a contributory factor. These data are available only from 2005.

Drink/Drug-driving

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on publicising the risks of driving under the influence of drugs in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: Communications warning of the dangers of drug-driving form part of the Department's THINK! road safety campaign. The Government are investing around £15 million in the THINK! campaign in this fiscal year.
	The campaign advertising costs for the THINK! drug-driving campaign since the 2002-03 fiscal year are as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2002-03 nil 
			 2003-04 138,000 
			 2004-05 150,000 
			 2005-06 223,000 
			 2006-07 (1)350,000 
			 (1) Expected outturn 
		
	
	The drug-drive campaign is very targeted to a niche audience, who, following research, appear to be the most likely to drug-drive.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated income to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency from fees for providing replacement registration certificates (V5C) was in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07.

Stephen Ladyman: The income, which is derived from fees for providing replacement registration certificates (V5C) for 2005-06 was £14.7 million and the forecasted income for 2006-07 is £13.5 million.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has for responding to complaints; and how many complaints received by  (a) telephone,  (b) letter and  (c) electronic mail the DVLA responded to within those target times in each year since 1997, broken down by type of complaint.

Stephen Ladyman: DVLA has two internal targets for responding to complaints. These are:
	1. To acknowledge all complaints within one working day; and
	2. To provide a substantive response to all complaints within 10 working days.
	Information on how the complaints were received is not available.
	The following table shows how many complaints were received and how the DVLA performed against each target in the years requested.
	
		
			   1997-98  1998-99  1999-00  2000-01  2001-02 
			  Category—complaints received  
			 Drivers (including Drivers Medical) 250 384 908 597 553 
			 Vehicles 913 1,173 1,101 983 2,115 
			 Telephone Service 198 134 157 137 142 
			 Processing Procedures 5 6 18 322 212 
			 Other 102 119 195 398 570 
			 Total 1,468 1,816 2,379 2,437 3,592 
			   
			  Numbers and percentage responded within target( 1)  
			  Target 1  
			 Number 1,458 1,816 2,379 2,437 3,592 
			 Percentage 99.3 100 100 100 100 
			   
			  Target 2  
			 Number 1,449 1,765 2,303 2,240 3,467 
			 Percentage 98.7 97.2 96.8 91.9 96.5 
		
	
	
		
			  Category  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			  Complaints received 
			 Drivers (including Drivers Medical) 684 1,028 812 679 
			 Vehicles 1,747 2,357 2,560 1,813 
			 Telephone Service 122 119 111 67 
			 Processing Procedures 236 331 614 407 
			 Other 600 741 680 1,567 
			 Total 3,389 4,576 4,777 4,490 
			  
			  Numbers and percentage responded within target( 1) 
			  Target 1 
			 Number 3,389 4,576 4,777 4,490 
			 Percentage 100 100 100 100 
			  
			  Target 2 
			 Number 3,295 4,458 4,663 3,529 
			 Percentage 97.2 97.4 97.6 78.6 
			 (1) Totals only available

First Great Western

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will urgently investigate the reliability of the 125 fleet on the Great Western lines; and what discussions he has had with First Great Western on its refurbishment and replacement programme.

Tom Harris: I have held a number of meetings with First Great Western and Network Rail to discuss a range of performance issues. Joint action plans are in place between Network Rail and FGW to address these issues and are monitored monthly.
	The first modified First Great Western High Speed Train ('HST') power cars have already entered service. My officials meet FGW regularly to review progress on the HST refurbishment and modification programme.

Foreign Hauliers

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure foreign drivers of foreign registered vehicles are adequately insured to drive in the UK.

Stephen Ladyman: European law requires all vehicles registered in a member state to have insurance for the use of that vehicle in any other member state.
	The police have full power to stop and check any foreign vehicle to ensure the driver has appropriate insurance cover.

Hit-and-run Drivers

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many personal injury road accidents involving one or more hit and run drivers or riders there were in each year from 1997 to 2004, broken down by police force; and how many  (a) fatalities,  (b) serious injuries and  (c) other injuries resulted from these accidents.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer of 18 April 2006,  Official Report, column 52W.

Left-hand Drive HGVs

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what percentage of reported traffic incidents involved a heavy goods vehicle with left hand drive in each of the last five years; and what percentage of those incidents were attributed to poor visibility or blind spots on such vehicles.

Stephen Ladyman: 1,014 personal injury road accidents reported to the police in 2005 involved a left hand drive heavy goods vehicle, 0.5 per cent. of all personal injury road accidents in 2005. In 32 per cent. of these accidents the heavy goods vehicles had "vehicle blind spot" as a contributory factor. This information is not available for years prior to 2005.

Lifeboats

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the full call out figures are for each lifeboat station in the UK in the last 12 months.

Stephen Ladyman: The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and independent lifeboat operators are not operated by the Government and the information is not collected in the form requested. However the RNLI lifeboats including those in the Republic of Ireland were launched 8,273 times in 2005. Other independent lifeboats were launched 831 times in 2005.

MOT

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the timetable is for the introduction of the MOT computerisation programme; and what the timetable was when the contract to run the system was awarded.

Stephen Ladyman: The MOT computerisation system was introduced in MOT garages from 18 April 2005 to 29 March 2006. When the PFI contract with Siemens was signed in February 2000, the system was scheduled to start being introduced in May 2002.

MOT

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost was in 2006-07 prices of the original contract with Siemens Business Services to run the MOT computerisation programme; when this contract was awarded; how much has been spent on this contract to date; and what estimate he has made of how much will have been spent by the time the system is operational.

Stephen Ladyman: The cost of the contract with Siemens Business Services to run the MOT computerisation system is £1.09 per MOT test pass at today's prices.
	This contract was awarded in 2000.
	The system has been operational in all MOT garages since 29 March 2006. The expenditure related to the system up to this date has been £32.1 million.

Railways

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) locomotives,  (b) multiple units,  (c) freight wagons and  (d) carriages are in use on the rail network, broken down by (i) train operating company and (ii) class.

Tom Harris: Tables giving details of the number of locomotives, multiple units and carriages used by UK franchised passenger train operators, broken down by train operating company and class has been placed in the Library of the House. Vehicles operated by non-franchised operators such as Network Rail, open access and charter operators are not included. The Department does not hold information relating to the numbers of freight vehicles used on the network.
	This information is based on latest available data but minor variations in the figures can be expected due to ongoing activities such as short-term vehicle hiring, introduction of new fleets and withdrawal of older vehicles.

Road Network

David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether revenue raised from road pricing schemes will be used to upgrade existing motorways and trunk roads.

Stephen Ladyman: For a road pricing scheme on local roads, under the Transport Act 2000, local authorities in England and Wales are required to use any net revenues raised to help deliver their Local Transport Plan for at least the first 10 years of the scheme.
	Local authorities may also propose pricing on trunk roads as part of a local scheme. In this case, under current legislation net revenues may be apportioned between the local authority and the Secretary of State. Decisions on this would be taken on a case by case basis. Revenues accruing to the Secretary of State would be hypothecated for transport spending.
	No such pricing scheme proposals have yet been put forward. The forthcoming Road Transport Bill will seek to improve the ability of local authorities to introduce schemes. A priority will be to ensure that local schemes offer a fair deal to all road users, including public transport users. Local authorities will be asked to decide what works best for their area.
	Road pricing in Scotland is a devolved matter.

Road Safety

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatalities occurred in each year between 2000 and 2005 as a result of motor accidents in the Humberside region.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of fatalities that occurred in each year between 2000 and 2005 as result of personal injury road accidents reported to the police involving motor vehicles in the Humberside police force area are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Fatalities resulting from accidents involving motor vehicle in Humberside( 1) : 2000-05 
			   Fatalities 
			 2000 47 
			 2001 54 
			 2002 49 
			 2003 63 
			 2004 59 
			 2005 71 
			 (1) Includes Kingston Upon Hull, North East Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire unitary authorities.

Road Safety

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much profit was generated by Humberside Safety Camera Partnership in 2004-05; and how this profit was  (a) distributed and  (b) spent;
	(2)  how much revenue was raised by the Humberside Safety Camera Partnership in 2004-05; and how much and what percentage of this revenue was spent on improving road safety in the Humberside region that year.

Stephen Ladyman: Safety Camera Partnerships do not make profits; rather they enforce laws which are important for road safety, just as police do through other means.
	The audit certificate for the Humberside Safety Camera Partnership for the financial year shows that fines from conditional offer of fixed penalties for offences detected during 2004-05 was £2,548,140. The amount returned to the partnership to improve road safety within the Humberside area for the same period via the netting off process was £2,181,397 (85.6 per cent.).
	The netting off funding arrangement for safety cameras is being ended after 2006-07 and from 2007-08 safety cameras and their funding are to be integrated into the Local Transport Plan system (in England outside London) alongside other road safety measures.
	This will give greater flexibility to local authorities, the police and the other agencies to pursue which ever locally agreed mix of road safety measures will make the greatest contribution to reducing road casualties in their area. It will also provide greater financial stability and facilitate long term planning.

Roads

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average maintenance expenditure per mile of road on  (a) A roads and  (b) B roads was in each region in the last period for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The relevant data are not currently compiled to show information for B roads separately from other non-principal roads. The available data for local roads in England are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Maintenance expenditure per km of road length, England, 2004-05 
			  £ per km 
			  Region  Principal roads  Non-principal roads 
			 East of England 24,492 5,967 
			 East Midlands 16,640 5,541 
			 North East 18,643 6,778 
			 North West 24,585 8,110 
			 South East 19,081 6,050 
			 South West 17,738 4,243 
			 West Midlands 20,447 5,798 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 18,355 5,346 
			 London 157,313 16,086 
			 England 28,473 6,366 
		
	
	Equivalent figures for Highways Agency maintained A roads are not readily available. Table 7.13 in Transport Statistics Great Britain, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, provides estimates of Highways Agency expenditure on roads in Government Office Regions; however, this does not separately identify expenditure on maintenance from that on new construction, road improvements and winter servicing.

Roads

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average 24-hour traffic volume was at the  (a) J3-J4E,  (b) J4A-J5,  (c) J9-J10,  (d) J10-J10A,  (e) J10A-J11,  (f) J12-J13,  (g) J6-J7 and  (h) J9-J10 automatic traffic counters on the M6 on (i) Mondays to Fridays, (ii) Saturdays and (iii) Sundays in each month since April 2005.

Stephen Ladyman: The traffic flows for the period from April 2005 to September 2006 are provided in a table, which has been placed in the Library of the House.

Roads

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average 24-hour traffic volume was at the  (a) J6-J7 and  (b) J9-J10 automatic traffic counters on the M42 on (i) Mondays to Fridays, (ii) Saturdays and (iii) Sundays in each month since January 2006.

Stephen Ladyman: The traffic flows for the period January to September 2006 are provided in a table, which has been placed in the Library of the House.

Roads

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of  (a) the net change in UK carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the road schemes approved through the targeted programme of improvements and local transport plans since 1998 and  (b) the effect on annual carbon dioxide emissions of each road scheme approved by Ministers through the local transport plans since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer of 6 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 684-5W, to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling). I also refer to the answer that I gave on 8 May 2006,  Official Report, column 23W.

Roads

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the 10 most congested  (a) motorways and  (b) non-motorway roads were in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department for Transport published its PSA target relating to a reliability measure of congestion for England in February 2006. This related to delays on the worst 10 per cent. of journeys for 103 recognisable routes that make up the strategic road network, and applied to the time period from 1 August 2004 to 31 July 2005 (the baseline year). Details, including data for individual routes, can be found at:
	http://www.dft.qov.uk/stellent/qroups/dft_transstats/documents/page/dft_transstats_611154.hcsp

Roads

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what total length of roads has been detrunked in each  (a) county council and  (b) unitary authority area since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The following tables list total route lengths transferred to local highway authorities in England under the White Paper "New Deal for Trunk Roads in England".
	
		
			  Route lengths transferred to county councils 
			  Local highway authority  Total (km) 
			 Bedfordshire 54 
			 Buckinghamshire 29.56 
			 Cambridgeshire 79 
			 Cheshire 187.8 
			 Cornwall 76 
			 Cumbria 133.57 
			 Derbyshire 137.3 
			 Devon 95 
			 Durham 36 
			 Gloucestershire 84 
			 Hampshire 23 
			 Hertfordshire 102.452 
			 Kent 30 
			 Lancashire 94.15 
			 Leicestershire 65 
			 Lincolnshire 251.9 
			 Norfolk 49.1 
			 North Yorkshire 69.86 
			 Northamptonshire 47.8 
			 Northumberland 63.6 
			 Nottinghamshire 90.2 
			 Oxfordshire 97.8 
			 Shropshire 80.9 
			 Staffordshire 51.61 
			 Suffolk 60 
			 Warwickshire 37.5 
			 Grand total 2,127.10 
		
	
	
		
			  Route lengths transferred to metropolitan councils 
			  Local highway authority  Total (km) 
			 Bradford City 15 
			 Calderdale 20.26 
			 Doncaster 21 
			 Knowsley 6 
			 Leeds City 46.4 
			 Liverpool City 0.3 
			 Rotherham 9.5 
			 Salford City 4.5 
			 Sefton 23.86 
			 St Helens 19.83 
			 Stockport 7.4 
			 Tameside 1 
			 Wigan 13.2 
			 Wirral 10 
			 Grand total 198.25 
		
	
	
		
			  Route lengths transferred to unitary councils 
			  Local highway authority  Total (km) 
			 City of York 23 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 50.5 
			 North East Lincolnshire 1 
			 North Lincolnshire 9 
			 Nottingham City 7 
			 Peterborough City 5 
			 Rutland 19.5 
			 Slough 4 
			 Swindon 3.7 
			 Telford & Wrekin 13.4 
			 Warrington 1.5 
			 West Berkshire 10.8 
			 Grand total 148.4 
		
	
	Additionally, 275.98 kms of cross boundary routes has been de-trunked under the programme. It is not possible to separate this figure by local highway authority as the associated statutory instruments do not provide detail on how these routes were divided.

Roads

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles on average used the M6 toll motorway in each month since January  (a) in total and  (b) on (i) workdays and (ii) weekends and public holidays.

Stephen Ladyman: Traffic figures for the M6 Toll are published on the M6 Toll operator's website:
	www.m6toll.co.uk
	The daily averages of vehicles using the M6 Toll during the period from January to September 2006 in total, on work days and on weekends and public holidays have been placed in the Library of the House.

Street Works

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake pilots of permit schemes in respect of street works in order to assess the costs and benefits of such schemes and resolve any issues that may prevent their effectiveness before the national rollout of permit schemes.

Gillian Merron: The Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA) did not make express provision for pilots of permit schemes and the Department is not running such pilots.
	There will not be a national rollout of permit schemes. Once the relevant legislation is brought into force a highway authority wishing to operate a permit scheme will be entitled to prepare and submit a scheme for approval. A permit scheme cannot take effect until it has been approved by the Secretary of State by Order. Any such application must be dealt with objectively and treated on its merits. However, the Department will seek to ensure that only those authorities which demonstrate the ability to operate an effective permit scheme will be granted approval.
	In addition, the Department is committed to reviewing permit schemes after a year of operation. This review will include analysis of costs and benefits. This will form part of our overall evaluation of the TMA.

Vehicles (End of Life)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department funds schemes to dispose of end-of-life lorries.

Stephen Ladyman: No.

Woodhead Tunnel

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is his policy to protect the disused rail route through the Woodhead Tunnel for future rail development.

Tom Harris: The protection of the rail route through the Woodhead Tunnel is the responsibility of the local and regional planning authorities.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budgeted expenditure by his Department is for 2006-07.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my written statement of 21 November 2006,  Official Report, column 30WS.

Departmental Expenditure

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to reduce the expenditure of his Office; and if he will make a statement.

John Prescott: All Government Departments are run in order to enable Ministers to best fulfil their duties with the maximum economy and efficiency, in accordance with Government Accounting.

Departmental Staff

Roger Williams: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many  (a) marketing officers,  (b) communications officers and  (c) press officers are employed in his Department; and what the total expenditure on communications for his Department was on (i) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (ii) other (A) press officers, (B) special advisers and (C) staff in the last year for which figures are available.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) on 26 October 2006,  Official Report, column 2081W. For information relating to the period prior to 5 May 2006, I refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Ministerial Visits

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many civil servants accompanied him on his recent trip to the Far East.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him to a very similar question on 26 October 2006,  Official Report, column 2082W.

Parliamentary Questions

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department uses an internal traffic light or colour coded system in relation to written parliamentary questions; and whether his Department grades or classifies written parliamentary questions according to their political sensitivity.

John Prescott: No, my Department does not. However, my Department endeavours to reply to all parliamentary questions within parliamentary deadlines.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by the Arts Council England in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: The number of full-time equivalent staff was:
	
		
			   Total 
			 1996-97 206 
			 1997-98 273 
			 1998-99 279 
			 1999-2000 201 
			 2000-01 200 
			 2001-02 690 
			 2002-03 698 
			 2003-04 707 
			 2004-05 816 
			 2005-06 853 
		
	
	The rise in 2001-02 reflects the merger of the 10 regional arts boards into a single organisation.

BBC (Funding)

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received on the future funding of the BBC.

Shaun Woodward: The Government have been conducting a funding review to determine the level of the licence fee to apply from April 2007. As part of that process, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had various representations from a wide range of stakeholders.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff were employed through employment agencies in  (a) her Department and  (b) each of its agencies in each of the last five years for which information is available; and what the (i) average and (ii) longest time was for which these temporary workers were employed in each year.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its executive agency, the Royal Parks, employ temporary agency staff on the basis of a booking which can last from as little as one day to many months. The number of individual bookings in each of the last five years, for which centrally held information is available, is as follows:
	
		
			   DCMS  Royal Parks 
			 2005-06 86 23 
			 2004-05 89 11 
			 2003-04 106 14 
			 2002-03 86 (1)— 
			 2001-02 92 (1)— 
			 (1 )Not available. 
		
	
	There are 13 temporary agency staff currently working in the Department and nine in the Royal Parks.
	The other information requested could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff were employed on a consultancy basis in  (a) her Department and  (b) each of its agencies in each of the last five years for which information is available; and what the (i) average and (ii) longest period was for which a consultant was employed in each year.

David Lammy: There are currently eight consultants employed and working in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and one person who is on secondment from a consultancy firm. There are two consultants working in our executive agency, the Royal Parks. These exclude contractors working in the Department and the Royal Parks, e.g. those providing facilities management and other support services; and they exclude those providing ad hoc consultancy who are not based in the Department or the Royal Parks.
	The other information requested could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether people employed  (a) through employment agencies and  (b) on a consultancy basis are included in the calculations for the full-time equivalent staff mentioned in her Department's annual report.

David Lammy: In the Staff Numbers table on page 116 of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's annual report, the data for full-time equivalent staff do not include people employed through  (a) agencies (as the footnote makes clear) and  (b) on a consultancy basis.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's annual budget is for employing workers on a consultancy basis; and how much of this budget was used in each of the last five years for which records are available.

David Lammy: The Department's accounting system records costs for all consultancy services under management consultants, IT consultants, other consultants and other professional advice. The Department uses consultants for a variety of purposes and much of the Department's expenditure on this will not have been used for consultants working in the Department. There are currently eight consultants employed and working in the Department and one person on secondment from a consultancy firm. The total cost to the Department of using all consultancy services in each of the last five years is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			 2001-02 318,416.80 
			 2002-03 469,480.60 
			 2003-04 473,785.35 
			 2004-05 643,924.27 
			 2005-06 1,297,321.33 
			 2006-07(1) 560,052.67 
			 (1) Spend to date.

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which statistics have been put forward by her Department for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets her Department has produced in total in each of the last five years.

David Lammy: The current list of National Statistics produced by DCMS can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ns_ons/nsproducts/default.asp
	A list of changes to the scope of National Statistics (additions and withdrawals) in each of the last five years can be found in the relevant National Statistics annual report available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1051
	In addition to National Statistics, DCMS publishes a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including other data produced from the management and administration of the department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term "statistics sets" and no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

Digital Dividend Review

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which industry representatives Ofcom  (a) plans to consult and  (b) has consulted in the period prior to publication of the proposals from the Digital Dividend review; whether Ofcom intends to hold further meetings on its proposals following publication; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Digital Dividend review is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom), as independent regulator. I have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to reply. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Digital Dividend Review

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what  (a) current and  (b) future spectrum usage estimates are being used by Ofcom in the preparation of its consultation paper on the digital dividend.

Shaun Woodward: The digital dividend review is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom), as independent regulator. I have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to reply. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Listed Buildings

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many  (a) barns and  (b) other agricultural buildings are listed grade II and above in each county in England.

David Lammy: There are currently 19,937 barns listed at grade II and above. A breakdown by county is shown in the table.
	Information on other agricultural buildings is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, figures from "Heritage Counts", the annual report on the state of England's historic environment, show that in 2005 there were 69,000 agricultural buildings, including barns, with list entries.
	
		
			  County  Number of listed barns 
			 Avon 213 
			 Bedfordshire 151 
			 Berkshire 246 
			 Buckinghamshire 511 
			 Cambridgeshire 435 
			 Cheshire 192 
			 Cleveland 54 
			 Cornwall 522 
			 Cumbria 1,103 
			 Derbyshire 258 
			 Devon 1,139 
			 Dorset 349 
			 Durham 174 
			 East Sussex 319 
			 Essex 1,199 
			 Gloucestershire 753 
			 Greater London 81 
			 Greater Manchester 186 
			 Hampshire 831 
			 Hereford and Worcester 1,214 
			 Hertfordshire 834 
			 Humberside 89 
			 Isle of Wight 82 
			 Isles of Scilly 5 
			 Kent 898 
			 Lancashire 433 
			 Leicestershire 208 
			 Lincolnshire 211 
			 Merseyside 44 
			 Norfolk 644 
			 Northamptonshire 302 
			 Northumberland 176 
			 North Yorkshire 626 
			 Nottinghamshire 165 
			 Oxfordshire 743 
			 Shropshire 402 
			 Somerset 368 
			 South Yorkshire 232 
			 Staffordshire 195 
			 Suffolk 551 
			 Surrey 441 
			 Tyne and Wear 10 
			 Warwickshire 346 
			 West Midlands 76 
			 West Sussex 393 
			 West Yorkshire 1,039 
			 Wiltshire 494

Secondments

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which staff in her Department are  (a) seconded from organisations with charitable status and  (b) have (i) costs and (ii) salaries met (A) in part and (B) in whole from (1) public funds and (2) by the charity from which they are seconded.

David Lammy: In the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) there are four staff seconded from organisations which have charitable status. All costs and salaries are met in full from public funds by DCMS.

Television Licences

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost was of tracing people who had moved house and not informed TV Licensing in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The BBC, which is responsible for the administration of the television licensing system, has indicated that no special measures are taken to trace licence holders who do not inform TV Licensing of a change of address. Their new address, if unlicensed, would be identified by TV Licensing in the same way as any other unlicensed address.

Television Licences

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the maximum fine is which may be imposed for failing to possess a valid television licence; and what the average cost was of bringing a prosecution for failure to possess a valid television licence in the latest period for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: The maximum fine which may be imposed for installation or use of a television receiver without a television licence is £1,000. Information on the average cost of bringing a prosecution for television licence evasion is not held.

Television Licences

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many detector vans are in use by TV Licensing.

Shaun Woodward: The BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system and TV Licensing carries out the day-to-day administration under contract to the corporation. I have referred the question to the BBC's Head of Revenue Management and asked him to reply directly. Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Theatre Finance

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with Arts Council England on funding for local theatre in relation to the 2007 comprehensive spending review; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: No decisions have yet been taken on the Comprehensive Spending Review. Arts Council England has substantially increased funding for theatre in each year since 2001-02, when it was £58.6 million. In 2006-07, it will allocate an estimated £97.5 million to regularly funded theatre organisations.

TV Quiz Channels

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent consideration has been given to the further regulation of television quiz channels which offer cash prizes.

Shaun Woodward: Responsibility for the regulation of television quiz channels rests with the independent regulators, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) and the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS).
	Ofcom and ICSTIS produced detailed new rules and guidance in 2006, aimed at ensuring best practice in the industry and providing appropriate consumer protection. As a result there have been significant changes in the way Call TV quiz shows operatewith increased transparency for the viewer.
	On 10 October 2006 ICSTIS announced a further review of the Quiz TV sector, covering all services within the sector, as well as current safeguards.
	On 3 August the Gambling Commission consulted on the possible need for some Call TV Quiz Services to change how they are currently operated to ensure compliance with the new rules under the Gambling Act 2005 which will come into force in September 2007. The consultation, which closed on 31 October, received a significant response. The Commission will be issuing its response in the new year.

TV Quiz Channels

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 in regulating television quiz channels that offer cash prizes.

Shaun Woodward: The Government are firmly committed to maintaining the long standing convention that lotteries should be held only for good causes and not for private gain, and have strengthened the definition of a lottery in the Gambling Act 2005.
	The Act, which will come into force in September 2007, creates a new definition of a lottery and a complex lottery.
	The Gambling Commission is the independent regulator responsible for monitoring compliance with the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976.
	The Gambling Commission is currently consulting on television quizzes.

TV Quiz Channels

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which digital television quiz channels are entitled to broadcast in the United Kingdom.

Shaun Woodward: All digital television channels which hold an Ofcom broadcasting licence or are appropriately authorised in an EU member state are entitled to broadcast in the UK whether or not they offer quiz shows. ITV Play, Quiz Call, iPlay and Big Game TV are dedicated quiz channels. A number of other channels offer substantial quiz TV programme breaks.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission 
	(1)  what the causes have been of the delay in finalising and publishing the National Audit Office report into the use by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of public funds in relation to the management of staff including the handling of grievance-type issues; when meetings were held between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the National Audit Office (NAO) to discuss the draft report; on what dates correspondence was exchanged between the FCO and the NAO on the contents of the draft report after the NAO submitted the draft to the FCO in August; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when the National Audit Office expects to publish its report into the use by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of public funds in relation to the management of staff including the handling of grievance-type issues.

Alan Williams: The National Audit Office received complaints from three employees of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the Department's handling of grievances. Following discussions with the Department the National Audit Office has reviewed the Department's procedures. The National Audit Office has provided the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with its provisional audit findings, setting out its recommendations to management for improvement. These are being discussed with the Department and are expected to be finalised in December, The review is not part of the programme of major studies on which the Comptroller and Auditor General reports to Parliament under the National Audit Act 1983.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Disease Control

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to deliver cost sharing between Government and the private sector for animal disease control; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: We are committed to working in partnership with industry on finding ways to share the responsibilities and costs of animal disease.
	The Government intend to publish a consultation document on the principles of responsibility and cost sharing for animal health and welfare in December. This consultation follows on from the work of the Joint Government and Industry Group which informed the debate on how to share the responsibilities and costs of exotic animal disease outbreaks.

Average Temperatures

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the annual average temperature of the UK has been in each year since 1976;
	(2)  what the average annual temperature of the UK was in each year for which his Department holds records.

Ian Pearson: The following table shows the mean temperatures in the UK for each year from 1976 to 2005.
	These data were provided by the Met Office. Temperature data for each year from 1914 onwards, broken down by month and season, are available on the Met Office website at:
	http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/seriesstatistics/uktemp.txt
	
		
			   UK Mean Temperature (( o) C) 
			 1976 8.78 
			 1977 8.29 
			 1978 8.26 
			 1979 7.63 
			 1980 8.30 
			 1981 8.16 
			 1982 8.74 
			 1983 8.91 
			 1984 8.64 
			 1985 7.84 
			 1986 7.70 
			 1987 8.06 
			 1988 8.77 
			 1989 9.29 
			 1990 9.42 
			 1991 8.59 
			 1992 8.74 
			 1993 8.36 
			 1994 8.89 
			 1995 9.18 
			 1996 8.17 
			 1997 9.41 
			 1998 9.15 
			 1999 9.37 
			 2000 9.10 
			 2001 8.85 
			 2002 9.48 
			 2003 9.51 
			 2004 9.48 
			 2005 9.46

Avian Influenza

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was  (a) planned for and  (b) spent on dealing with avian influenza in 2005-06; and what the figures are for 2006-07.

Ben Bradshaw: In 2005-06, approximately 9 million was spent on the prevention and control of avian influenza (AI).
	For 2006-07, DEFRA anticipates spending up to 19 million on the prevention and control of AI. This includes preparedness measures and outbreak costs. However, this figure is subject to on-going review. To the end of October 2006 we had spent 9 million.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria a civil servant in his Department must fulfil  (a) to be considered for a bonus on top of their regular salary and  (b) to be awarded a bonus.

Barry Gardiner: Separate performance bonus arrangements operate for staff in the senior civil service (SCS) and those at Grade 6 and below.
	 For the SCS
	The performance management, pay and reward arrangements for the SCS are centrally determined.
	Non-consolidated cash payments, otherwise known as bonuses, reward in-year performances in relation to agreed objectives, or short term personal contribution to wider organisational objectives. Bonuses are paid in addition to base pay increases and do not count towards pension.
	Bonuses are allocated by Departments from a 'pot' expressed as a percentage of the SCS salary bill, which is agreed centrally each year following the senior salaries review board recommendations. The intention is that bonuses are awarded to people who have delivered priority business objectives.
	 For Staff at Grade 6 and below
	The high performance bonus awards scheme introduced in April 2005, provide DEFRA staff with recognition and reward for delivery of an outstanding outcome or performance that significantly exceeds normal expectations. The process should provide staff at all grades with an opportunity to earn a bonus, and ensure that achievements in operational, policy and corporate services areas are recognised as being of equal esteem.
	There are two types of award:
	In-year high performance bonuses paid to individuals or teams in recognition of one-off achievements during the year; and
	Annual high performance bonuses which are paid to the top 10 per cent. of performers in each Directorate General for delivery of an outstanding outcome or performance sustained throughout the whole year.
	These arrangements apply to staff covered by core-DEFRA pay arrangements (core-DEFRA, State Veterinary Service, Pesticides Safety Directorate, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Marine Fisheries Agency and Government Decontamination Service). DEFRA's other agencies and non-departmental public bodies operate separate pay and bonus arrangements.

Bovine TB

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans his Department has to review the amount of compensation paid to farmers for cattle of high genetic value slaughtered under bovine tuberculosis control measures.

Ben Bradshaw: We are working with interested industry parties, through the Cattle Compensation Advisory Group, to monitor the cattle compensation arrangements introduced early this year and consider possible enhancements.

Bovine TB

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when results will be announced for the evaluation of changes in pre-movement testing of cattle for bovine TB.

Ben Bradshaw: Monitoring of the impacts of pre-movement testing is ongoing and key statistics are updated monthly and published on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/premovement/monitoring-data.htm
	No evidence has emerged to date that alters the decision to extend pre-movement testing to younger animals in March 2007 as already set out in legislation.

Bovine TB

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the evidential basis is for the view that human interference with badger setts is a causal factor in the transmission rates of bovine tuberculosis.

Ben Bradshaw: If by human interference my hon. Friend means culling, the evidence suggests that culling, as carried out in the Randomised Badger Culling Trial, causes a decrease in TB incidence in the area culled and an increase around the site of a cull. The Independent Scientific Group suggests this is due to perturbation following culling.
	Under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 it is illegal to interfere with badgers or their setts unless under licence.

Bovine TB

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidences of bovine TB there were in 2005.

Ben Bradshaw: There were 3,653 new bovine tuberculosis (bTB) herd incidents in Great Britain in 2005. Reports on bTB statistics for Great Britain are published on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/stats/index.htm.

British Waterways

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Government funding has been provided to British Waterways in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what funding is planned for each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers given on 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1607W; and 2 November 2006,  Official Report, column 572W.
	Following devolution, the Scottish Executive became responsible for British Waterways' activities in Scotland. The table shown in the answer given on 23 October gives the grant paid from 2001-02 by DEFRA for waterways in England and Wales.

British Waterways

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the likely impact on remainder waterways of the proposed reduction in the budget of the Environment Agency and British Waterways;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on maintenance obligations in relation to the remainder waterways.

Barry Gardiner: It is for British Waterways (BW) to prioritise its activities in the light of competing demands for available resources and its statutory obligations. The Environment Agency has no remainder waterways.
	Section 107 of the Transport Act 1968 places a duty on BW to maintain retained remainder waterways in the most economical manner possible consistent with the requirements of public health and the preservation of amenity and safety. This is qualified by section 22 of the British Waterways Act 1995 which requires BW to take into account the desirability of protecting remainder waterways for future use as cruising waterways, or as areas for other public recreational use, where they have suitable potential. In practice, BW maintains navigable remainder waterways to standards which reflect their use and prospects of use, using contributions from third parties to help fund this work.

Cathode Ray Tubes (Recycling)

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the capacity in the UK for recycling of televisions and computer monitors containing cathode ray tubes.

Ben Bradshaw: There are an increasing number of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recovery plants, opening in anticipation of the UK's implementation of the WEEE Directive, which are capable of dealing with waste televisions and computer monitors. These plants are regulated by the Environment Agency under a waste management licence.

Climate Change

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what response he has made to the proposals made on 15 November by the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan for an investment fund to combat climate change in Africa.

Ian Pearson: Driving the take-up of low carbon energy technology over the coming decades is vitalparticularly in developing countries. We have welcomed United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's announcement about launching a Nairobi Framework to support developing countries, particularly in Africa, to participate in the Clean Development Mechanism. The UK will be playing its part by linking London-based carbon market experts with those developing projects in Africa.

Dairy Industry

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made by the Dairy Supply Chain Forum; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The Dairy Supply Chain Forum has been instrumental in bringing together all parts of the supply chain to discuss issues where collaboration can benefit all, thereby also increasing transparency and trust. The Forum has improved the evidence base for Government and industry policy-making. For example it has commissioned a number of studies which have examined the impact of Common Agricultural Policy Reform on the sector, looked at barriers to innovation, and assessed skills and training needs. These studies have helped inform the debate within the industry about its future prospects, dispelled some myths, and challenged thinking. The Forum has also discussed issues of concern to the supply chain, including competition and the environmental agenda.
	The future structure and objectives of the Forum are currently under consideration, as we wish to ensure that it continues to be relevant and tightly focused.

Departmental Budget

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the shortfall in his Department's budget on  (a) the performance of Natural England and  (b) his Department's biodiversity targets.

Barry Gardiner: We have been working with Natural England to avoid impacts on key priorities and outcomes, including DEFRA's biodiversity targets.
	Natural England's start-up costs were protected so there is no question of it being established as anything other than fit for purpose. The programmes which contribute to the Sites of Special Scientific Interest and farmland birds Public Service Agreement targets, and the England Biodiversity Strategy, will be delivered in full. Natural England is also giving priority to the delivery of agri-environment schemes.
	To enable the highest priority work areas to continue to be delivered, it has been necessary to delay or reduce the scale of some other programme work this year, for example, slowing down some research work.

Departmental Pay Rates

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department has spent on staff employed at his Department but remunerated through an employment agency in each year since 2001.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 22 November 2006
	From information held centrally, the core Department's expenditure on personnel engaged through employment agencies since 2001 is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Value () 
			 2002-03 10,536,838 
			 2003-04 9,383,419 
			 2004-05 9,623,459 
			 2005-06 9,890,898 
			 1 April 2006 to 30 September 2006 3,908,745 
		
	
	Information for the financial year 2001-02 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Pay Rates

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many members of staff have received payments through an employment agency for work undertaken in his Department in each year since 2001.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 22 November 2006
	Information is not held centrally on the numbers of personnel who have received payments through an employment agency for work undertaken in the Department in each year since 2001. The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which statistics have been put forward by his Department for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets his Department has produced in total in each of the last five years.

Barry Gardiner: The current list of National Statistics produced by DEFRA can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ns_ons/nsproducts/default.asp
	A list of changes to the scope of National Statistics (additions and withdrawals) in each of the last five years can be found in the relevant National Statistics annual report available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1051
	In addition to National Statistics, DEFRA publishes a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including other data produced from the management and administration of the Department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term statistics sets and no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

Discovering Lost Ways Project

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that property owners in rural areas are aware of possible future claims for a public right of way through the Discovering Lost Ways Project.

Barry Gardiner: The Discovering Lost Ways Project will comply with all the existing statutory requirements for notifying property owners of public rights of way claims. These include serving notice of applications on landowners or occupiers. In addition, the project will seek ways to keep property owners, landowners, land managers and their representative groups fully informed in order to provide accurate and timely information for their area and make them aware of any potential public rights of way claims well in advance.

Domestic Rubbish

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance his Department has given to local authorities on the leaving of fixed penalties for litter offences relating to domestic rubbish.

Ben Bradshaw: Guidance on the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 was sent to all local authorities in early April this year. An addendum incorporating a clarifying note on fixed penalties for litter offences was sent to them on 6 September 2006, advising that fixed penalty notices are available to help deal with side waste and for the offence of putting waste out incorrectly under sections 46 and 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Failure to follow such a notice is an offence, for which a 100 fixed penalty notice can now be issued under section 47ZA of the 1990 Act.
	The guidance is available on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/legislation/cnea/index.htm#guide.

Energy Conservation

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what incentives are in place for those with responsibility for public buildings to install insulation as an energy saving measure.

Ian Pearson: Targets, including those now in place for central Government and the NHS estate, can encourage public sector organisations to reduce the use of energy and achieve lower emissions.
	To help these organisations to achieve their targets, the Carbon Trust's carbon management programme is encouraging public sector organisations to develop effective management procedures for the efficient use of energy. Specialist tailored programmes have been established for local authorities, the higher education sector and the NHS.
	Salix, which is a not-for-profit company set up by the Carbon Trust in 2004, uses Government funding of around 20 million to set up ring-fenced recycled loan funds in public sector organisations. Salix's funding is matched by the organisation and used to invest in cost-effective, long-term energy saving projects such as insulation, heating and lighting.

Energy Efficiency

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average time is for the Eaga Partnership to process a Warm Front grant application.

Ian Pearson: The average time across England for a Warm Front survey to take place after the initial contact is made by the applicant is 14 working days.
	The average time for completion of applications where heating work is required from initial contact to all measures being installed is 95 working days.
	The average time for completion of applications where only insulation is required from initial contact to measures being installed is 48 working days.

Energy Efficiency

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will increase the maximum level of Eaga Partnership Warm Front grants available to householders in Cornwall.

Ian Pearson: The Warm Front grant maximum (2,700 or 4,000 where an oil fired heating system is recommended), applies across England, and is subject to regular review.
	We recognise that particular issues may arise in a local area and the scheme seeks to overcome those challenges with local representatives and stakeholders.

Energy Efficiency

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria his Department uses to accredit contractors to carry out work under the Eaga Warm Front scheme.

Ian Pearson: All Warm Front installers are contracted by Eaga Partnership under EU procurement rules. This process takes account of the contractor's capability, suitability, financial standing and technical ability.

Energy Efficiency

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was allocated to householders under the Eaga Group Warm Front grant scheme in each local authority area in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Ian Pearson: A table showing the spend by each local authority on Warm Front during 1 June 2005 to 31 March 2006 has been placed in the Library of the House.

Energy from Waste

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans his Department has to promote the generation of energy from waste and the acceptability of the concept among the public.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government see it as an important objective not to promote energy from waste (EfW) at the expense of waste prevention or recycling.
	EfW is, however, a valid option lower down the waste hierarchy for those wastes which cannot realistically be treated in other ways, and would otherwise have to be disposed of to landfill. EfW offers considerable climate change benefits compared to landfill, primarily through avoided landfill methane emissions. In addition, the energy generated from the biomass fraction of waste can help offset fossil fuel power generation.
	The Government have published several studies which set out the evidence gathered so far on the environmental and health effects of waste management so the public can assess for themselves the facts on EfW.
	An independent, peer reviewed study published in 2004, concluded that on the evidence so far, the treatment of municipal solid waste has at most a minor effect on health. The Environment Agency ensures that emissions and other outputs from waste management facilities are within the limits set by the EU and the UK Government to minimise any negative impact. Incinerators are also required to conform to tighter emission standards than other types of combustion plants.

England Rural Development Programme

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the impact on farmers' incomes of the delay in implementing the England Rural Development Programme 2007 to 2013;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the impact on the economy in rural areas of the delay in implementing the England Rural Development Programme 2007 to 2013 announced on 1 November.

Barry Gardiner: It is impossible to reach any definitive conclusions until we have a clearer idea of how long the delay will be, and that will depend upon events in the European Parliament and Council thereafter.
	Agreements signed under the current England Rural Development Programme (which runs until 31 December 2006) will be honoured for the full term of the agreement and so will not be affected by the delay.
	We are working on the contingency arrangements for new rural development agreements, that will apply in the absence of EU approval, for the next programme and will publish full details as soon as possible. The delay to the programme will not affect the total amount of money available for rural development support available during 2007-13, but it may affect the timing of when new agreements can commence.

Environmental Directives

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which environmental directives have been agreed and published since 8 June 2001; and what the date or expected date of transposition is of each.

Ian Pearson: DEFRA was formed in June 2001. Between 8 June 2001 and 22 November 2006, 31 EU environmental directives, for which the Department has responsibility for implementation, were adopted. These are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Directive No  Directive Name  Transposition deadline  Date UK transposition completed/or expected to be completed 
			 2001/080/EC Limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants 27 November 2002 9 September 2003 
			 2001/081/EC National emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants 1 March 2002 13 March 2003 
			 2001/091/EC Restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (hexachloroethane) 31 December 2002 30 June 2003 
			 2002/003/EC Relating to ozone in ambient air 9 September 2003 26 February 2004 
			 2002/031/EC Energy labelling of household air conditioners 1 January 2003 14 March 2003 
			 2002/040/EC Commission Directive 2002/040/EC implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labelling of household electric ovens 31 December 2002 14 March 2003 
			 2002/045/EC Relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (short-chain chlorinated paraffins) 6 July 2003 23 December 2003 
			 2002/049/EC Assessment and management of environmental noise 18 July 2004 December 2006 
			 2002/062/EC Adapting to technical progress for the ninth time Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States on marketing and use of (organostannic compounds) 31 October 2002 14 March 2003 
			 2003/002/EC Relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of arsenic 30 June 2003 23 December 2003 
			 2003/004/EC On public access to environmental information and repealing 90/31 3/EEC 14 February 2005 4 January 2006 
			 2003/011/EC Relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (pentabromodiphenyl ether octabromodiphenyl ether) 15 February 2004 22 March 2004 
			 2003/035/EC Providing for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment 25 June 2005 October 2007 
			 2003/066/EC Energy labelling of household electric refrigerators, freezers and their combinations 30 June 2004 1 July 2004 
			 2003/087/EC Establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community 31 December 2003 23 December 2004 
			 2004/008/EC On the promotion of cogeneration based on a useful heat demand in the internal energy market 21 February 2006 April 2007 
			 2004/01 2/EC Packaging and packaging waste 18 August 2005 20 September 2006 
			 2004/035/EC Environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage 30 April 2007 December 2007 
			 2004/042/EC Limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to use of organic solvents in certain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products 30 October 2005 25 October 2005 
			 2004/098/EC Restrictions on the marketing and use of pentabromodiphenyl ether in aircraft emergency evacuation system 1 January 2005 22 December 2004 
			 2004/1 01 /EC A scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community 13 November 2005 December 2006 
			 2004/1 07/EC Relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air 15 February 2007 February 2007 
			 2005/032/EC Establishing a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for energy using products 11 August 2007 August 2007 
			 2005/033/EC The sulphur content of marine fuels 11 August 2006 July 2007 
			 2005/059/EC Restrictions on marketing and use of certain dangerous substances (Toluene and Trichlorobenzene) 15 December 2006 December 2006 
			 2005/069/EC Marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations 29 December 2006 December 2006 
			 2006/007/EC Bathing water quality 24 March 2008 March 2008 
			 2006/011/EC Pollution caused by dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the community (codified version) n/a n/a 
			 2006/012/EC Waste (codified version) n/a n/a 
			 2006/032/EC Energy end-use efficiency and energy services 17 May 2008 May 2008 
			 2006/044/EC Quality of fresh waters needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life (codified version) n/a n/a 
		
	
	I am placing in the Library of the House a list which itemises the directives adopted together with:
	 (a) the EU deadline for transposition into domestic legislation.
	 (b) where, appropriate, the final or expected United Kingdom transposition date.
	Details of all Directives in force can be found on the Eur-Lex database available on the European Union's website at: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy is on the auctioning of carbon emission permits under Phase III of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The European Commission published, on 13 November 2006, a communication setting out the agenda and process for its review of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. We welcome the Commission's statement, which appears to cover all the key issues, including those the Government set out in our Vision for Emissions Trading published on 30 October.
	The Commission has stated that the review will explore the allowance allocation methodology for Phase III of the scheme, including the level and design of auctioning across the EU.
	The UK's aspiration is to move towards full auctioning in the future. This is the fairest method of allocation and ensures that the industry takes account of the full cost of carbon in its business decisions. We intend to learn from the experience of earlier phases and are actively working with other member states in the hope that we can harmonise the proportions of allowances to be auctioned as well as harmonising the rules governing auctioning. We are also keen that auctions are open to participants from all member states.

Farm Emissions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the bodies of the farming industry on including farming within the carbon dioxide emissions targets.

Ian Pearson: Direct emissions of carbon dioxide are not the key issue for farming in tackling climate change. Agriculture contributes 7 per cent. of UK greenhouse gas emissions but less than 1 per cent. of UK carbon dioxide emissions.
	The bigger challenge is on two other gases, methane and nitrous oxide, of which some 36 per cent. and 67 per cent. respectively of UK emissions comes from agriculture, from livestock, manures, and artificial fertiliser.
	There are no specific emissions reduction targets for agriculture at the moment. Nevertheless we are working closely with the National Farmers' Union and the Country Land and Business Association, for example through the Rural Climate Change Forum, on policies and measures to ensure that farmers can play a full part in reducing UK emissions and help move us to a low carbon economy.

Fisheries

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many British ships have licences to fish off the coast of Mauritania.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK holds two licences to fish off the coast of Mauritania.

Fly-tipping

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what volume of waste he estimates was illegally fly-tipped in each year since March 2005, broken down by the nature of the waste.

Ben Bradshaw: Flycapture, the national fly-tipping database, records summary data on incidents of fly-tipping broken down by waste type, land type and size of fly-tip.
	Flycapture data for April 2005 to March 2006 were released on 31 July 2006 and are reproduced below:
	
		
			  Number of incidents of fly-tipping by waste type reported to Flycapture by local authorities in England between April 2005 and March 2006 
			  Waste type  Number of incidents 
			 Animal carcass 9,307 
			 Green 46,833 
			 Vehicle parts 18,449 
			 White goods 64,878 
			 Other electrical 24,049 
			 Tyres 25,379 
			 Asbestos 3,051 
			 Clinical 2,786 
			 Construction/demolition/excavation 53,329 
			 Black bags commercial 51,837 
			 Black bags household 194,111 
			 Chemical drums, oil or fuel 4,329 
			 Other household waste 327,539 
			 Other commercial waste 38,257 
			 Other (unidentified):sid1621 8230 152,458 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of incidents of fly-tipping by size reported to Flycapture by local authorities in England between April 2005 and March 2006 
			  Size of fly-tip  Number of incidents 
			 Single item 285,942 
			 Car boot or less 307,474 
			 Small van load 236,510 
			 Transit van load 124,715 
			 Tipper lorry load 24,245 
			 Significant multi loads 6,676 
		
	
	Further information can be found on the DEFRA website:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/flytipping/flycapture.htm

Food Stocks Survey

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the Food Stocks Survey 2005.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 21 November 2006
	No. The survey contains information which is commercially sensitive and it is not suitable for publication. The information gathered allows DEFRA to better represent the food industry in any discussions with other Government Departments during incidents which could impact upon the industry.

Foot and Mouth Disease

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which countries he has been informed have had an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the last 12 months.

Ben Bradshaw: Outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) have been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) by the following countries over the last 12 months, up to 22 November 2006:
	Argentina
	Botswana
	Brazil
	China
	Democratic Republic of Congo
	Ecuador
	Egypt
	Israel
	Palestinian Autonomous Territories
	Russia
	South Africa
	Turkey
	Vietnam.
	Some of these outbreaks occurred in FMD control zones and did not affect the export status of the country concerned. FMD is endemic in a number of other countries in Africa, Asia and South America. In this case, individual outbreaks are not reported to the OIE.

Forestry

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it his policy to use the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification as a system of certifiable sustainable forestry; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The UK Government have assessed the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification scheme as providing adequate assurance that timber and timber products are from legal and sustainably managed sources as defined in the model contract condition and specification currently available for use by their central Departments.
	The Government's assessment was made in 2004 and is currently under review to check that it still holds good. The results of this review are expected to be published before the end of 2006.

Gloucestershire County Council (Farm Estate)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with Gloucestershire County Council on its decision to review each tenancy on its farm estate as they become available; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: There have not been any discussions between Gloucestershire county council and DEFRA on its decision to review tenancies as they become available.
	The Agriculture Act 1970 provides the statutory framework for the operation of county farm estates. Under the Act, the day to day management of estates is the responsibility of local authorities. Local authorities have a duty to manage their estates in the best interests of all their tax payers.

Greyhounds

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to bring forward regulations to establish minimum standards for the transportation of greyhounds.

Ben Bradshaw: Council Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport will come into force on 5 January 2007. It will establish minimum standards for the transport of vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity.
	The regulation will apply to the transport of greyhounds by commercial racers. Greyhounds owned and transported as pets will be exempt.
	We are also committed to drafting a regulation on the welfare of racing greyhounds by 2008 with the aim of it coming into force in 2009. This regulation will be made under section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and is concerned with the welfare of the dogs within the racing industry and not just their transport. We have set up a Greyhound Welfare Working Group which will be making recommendations to Ministers about this regulation.

Hunting

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which hunts the Forestry Commission has assessed as having successfully transferred to chemical-only based scents when drag hunting.

Barry Gardiner: The Forestry Commission is not aware of any hunt, whether a member of the Masters of Bloodhounds and Draghounds Association or the Masters of Foxhounds Association, which has successfully transferred to chemical-only based scents.

Inland Waterways

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect on inland waterways of the recent reduction in funding.

Barry Gardiner: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answers given on 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1607; and 7 November 2006,  Official Report columns 1067-68.

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information he has received as to how much each EU member state is charging poultry units for compliance with Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regulations.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer my hon. Friend to my earlier reply to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski) on 2 November 2006,  Official Report, column 573W.

Land-based Economy

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to improve skill levels among sectors for which his Department is responsible in relation to the land-based economy.

Barry Gardiner: DEFRA has an ongoing commitment to promoting the recognition of skills and the business benefits of training in the environmental and land-based sectors. To help further these aims, we have commissioned a business competence framework.
	The competence framework will provide a clear understanding of what skills an individual will require to work in particular industries and in specific jobs within those industries. It will also map out career progression more clearly, support continuous professional development and provide links to training opportunities. Data gathered from the competence framework will assist training providers in targeting their provision in line with emerging needs and geographical location.
	The development of the competence framework is being undertaken by Lantra (The Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sectors) and is wholly funded by DEFRA. However, it will be self-financing, on a fees basis, by 2009. Lantra are working to promote the business benefits of training through advocacy networks, in order to help overcome the cultural barriers to training uptake commonly found in their respective sectors.
	The competence framework will contain competences relevant across the environmental and land-based sectors, organised into job profiles. Competences will be divided into different levels to reflect grade or seniority. Use of the competence framework will be voluntary and participation will be open to all sizes of business. Competences will be mapped against national occupational standards and linked to existing and new qualifications. Users will have a 'skills passport' allowing them to demonstrate their competence to industry accepted standards.
	Lantra continues to engage closely with industry to ensure that the competence framework accurately reflects their needs.

London Mayor and Assembly

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether all integrated waste collection and street cleansing contracts let by waste authorities in London will be subject to the requirement to be in general conformity with the Mayor's Municipal Waste Management Strategy under his proposals set out in The Greater London Authority: The Government's Final Proposals for Additional Powers and Responsibilities for the Mayor and Assembly.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 22 November 2006
	When entering into integrated waste collection and street cleansing contracts, waste authorities should be aware that those aspects of the contract which fall under Part II (for example, section 45 on the collection, disposal or treatment of controlled waste) will be subject to the requirement for waste authorities to be in general conformity with the Mayor's Municipal Waste Management Strategy. Those aspects of the contract that fall under Part IV of the Act (for example section 89 on street cleansing) will not be subject to this requirement.

London Mayor and Assembly

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what statutory powers the Mayor of London will have under the proposals set out in The Greater London Authority: The Government's Final Proposals for Additional Powers and Responsibilities for the Mayor and Assembly to ensure the objectives of the London Waste Infrastructure Development Programme are achieved.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 22 November 2006
	The package of measures announced in The Government's Final Proposals for Additional Powers and Responsibilities for the Mayor and Assembly proposes that the Mayor should have discretion to decide those planning applications for waste facilities which are strategically important and critical to implementing his waste strategy. The Government also proposes that waste authorities will be required to deliver functions under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act (1990) in general conformity with Mayor's Municipal Waste Management Strategy.
	The Government also proposes to establish a dedicated London Waste Infrastructure Development Programme to get new waste facilities on the ground. This will be led by DEFRA with strong Greater London Authority involvement.

London Mayor and Assembly

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions between his waste strategy team officials and his  (a) climate change team,  (b) transport team,  (c) energy team and  (d) procurement team took place prior to the announcement in July on the Greater London Authority: The Government's Final Proposals for Additional Powers and Responsibilities for the Mayor and Assembly.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 21 November 2006
	A number of discussions took place between relevant officials in this Department, and with those from the Government Office for London and Department for Communities and Local Government, prior to the announcement in July on 'The Greater London Authority: The Government's Final Proposals for Additional Powers and Responsibilities for the Mayor
	and Assembly'.

Meat Hygiene Service

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what responsibility his Department has for the Meat Hygiene Service.

Barry Gardiner: None. The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) is an executive agency of the Food Standards Agency, a non-ministerial Government Department.
	A service level agreement covers work carried out by the MHS on behalf of DEFRA. This includes animal identification, disease surveillance (including transmissible spongiform encephalopathy controls), animal welfare and sample taking.

Milk Quotas

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects milk quotas to be abolished.

Barry Gardiner: The Government would like to see the abolition of the milk quota system as soon as is practicable because it is bureaucratic, constrains production by efficient farmers and imposes additional costs on the United Kingdom dairy industry.
	The current European Union (EU) regulations provide for milk quotas to continue until 2015. The EU Commission is due to carry out a health check on the common agricultural policy (CAP) by 2008 and the Agriculture Commissioner has indicated her willingness to consider phasing out milk quotas. We shall be negotiating for an end to milk quotas as part of a structured reform of the CAP.

National Air Quality Strategy

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the review of the National Air Quality Strategy to be completed.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 25 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1873W.

Natural England

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what  (a) contracts and  (b) service level agreements with environmental organisations Natural England has inherited from English Nature; and what the (i) length and (ii) value is of each contract.

Barry Gardiner: I will arrange for this information to be placed in the House Library.

Office of Climate Change

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he has taken to appoint a director for the new office of climate change.

Ian Pearson: In line with the Civil Service Commissioners' Code on senior recruitment, the post of Head of the Office of Climate Change was advertised widely through open and fair competition during the week beginning 12 November. The specification for the post was prepared in consultation with my Secretary of State as chair of the Office of Climate Change Ministerial Board, and with the senior officials from the Departments that make up the Officials Board. The Head of Office selection panel will be made up of Officials Board representatives and will be chaired by a civil service commissioner. Final interviews are due to take place in February.

Pollution Prevention and Control Charges

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what consideration has been given to waiving integrated pollution prevention and control charges for any period of time; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what conditions must be met before an integrated pollution prevention and control permit will be granted; what estimate his Department has made of the costs incurred by farmers to achieve the required standard; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the cost of  (a) permits and  (b) annual fees (i) will be to the integrated pollution prevention and control regime and (ii) was for the integrated pollution control regime under Part I of the 1990 Environment Protection Act; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The integrated pollution prevention control (IPPC) directive applies an integrated environmental approach to the regulation of industrial activities. This means that emissions to air, water (including discharges to sewer) and land, plus a range of other environmental effects, including noise and vibration, must be considered together before a permit is granted. IPPC aims to prevent emissions and waste production and where that is not practicable, reduce them to acceptable levels.
	The regulator must set permit conditions so as to achieve a high level of protection for the environment and human health as a whole. These conditions are based on the use of the Best Available Techniques , which balances the costs to the operator against the benefits to the environment and human health.
	Regulatory costs have to be met by those whose activities cause the need for them and so cannot be waived. Intensive livestock installations will be charged 3,331 for a permit application and then annual charges of 2,229 for a small installation and 2,794 for a large one. The IPPC directive applies only to poultry installations with places for more than 40,000 birds and to installations with places for more than 2,000 production pigs or 750 sows. Large units are those greater than 10 times the lower threshold, that is those greater than 400,000 birds, 20,000 production pigs or 7,500 sows.
	On 19 May, the industry accepted an offer from the Environment Agency whereby, provided permit applications are received evenly through the 1 November 2006 to 31 January 2007 application period, a subsistence charge of 1,471 for an existing small installation and 1,844 for an existing large one will be charged to industry from August 2007 until March 2008. This represents a substantial saving to industry.
	Intensive livestock installations are not, and have never been, subject to the integrated pollution control regime under Part I of the 1990 Environment Protection Act. The total capital costs of meeting, in England, the requirements of the IPPC directiveincluding permitting and improvements likely to be necessary over the next few yearswere estimated by the Rural Development Service in February 2006 to be 64.6 million with annual costs of 20.2 million, although there are significant uncertainties about these estimates.

Pollution Prevention and Control Charges

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the amount of the fee for an integrated pollution prevention and control permit application was determined by the Environment Agency; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Integrated pollution prevention and control permit application charges and annual fees are based on the Environment Agency's Environmental Protection Operator and Pollution Risk Appraisal scheme. This scheme has been designed to reflect the actual environmental risk posed by the nature, performance, location and management of each installation. In calculating the operator's charges, the scheme takes into account the installation's complexity, emissions performance, inherent potential to pollute, location, and the standards of management, control and compliance achieved by the operator.
	Further information is available on the Environment Agency website at:
	http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/444304/1224648/1224695/.

Pollution Prevention and Control Charges

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress he has made in his discussions with the National Farmers' Union and the Environment Agency to limit the financial impacts on farmers of introducing integrated pollution prevention and control; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: My noble Friend the Lord Rooker recently met both representatives of the industry and Peter Kendall from the National Farmers' Union to discuss this matter. We have assured them that we are reviewing what further might be able to be done to streamline and reduce the costs of these regulatory requirements.

Poultry Industry

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many enriched poultry cages have been introduced to replace battery cages in the poultry industry since 2001.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is not available. However, DEFRA estimates that 600,000 birds are now kept in enriched poultry cages. A further 250,000 birds are kept in conventional cages installed during 2001-02 which could be easily converted to enriched cages.

Poultry Industry

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking in conjunction with the poultry industry to ensure that the 2012 ban on battery cages is met.

Ben Bradshaw: The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 bans the conventional cage from 2012. Laying hens may only be kept in enriched cages or non-cage systems after this date. Any further changes to systems of production must be made at European Union level.
	All poultry keepers must be acquainted with DEFRA's Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Laying Hens. The code makes it clear that, under regulation 10 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations 2000, hens may not be kept in conventional cages from 1 January 2012. The code is available on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/lavers/index.htm.
	DEFRA has also been looking in more detail at the welfare aspects of enriched cages through its research programme. Projects have involved collaboration with the poultry industry.

Poultry Industry

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that annual inspection charges do not undermine the competitiveness of the UK poultry industry.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Oaten) on 8 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1585W.

Pyrolysis Plants

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the frequency of waste collection is, broken down by local authorities which  (a) directly operate and  (b) subcontract the operation of pyrolysis plants.

Ben Bradshaw: The Environment Agency has no record of any English local authority directly operating or subcontracting the operation of a pyrolysis plant.
	The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (ERA) places a duty on all waste collection authorities to arrange for the collection of household waste, but does not stipulate how often collections should occur. Local authorities are best placed to make decisions on the waste management strategy for their communities and how these are undertaken.

Recycling

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of materials collected for recycling were exported overseas in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what measures are taken to ensure that such materials are processed for recycling once they have left the country.

Ben Bradshaw: Accurate information is not available. All exported waste must be of a certain quality and be for recycling or reuse. It is for producers, local authorities and their waste management contractors to ensure that their waste is properly managed through all the steps in the recycling chain, including its final destination.
	The Environment Agency detects and prevents the illegal export of waste at major UK ports through intelligence-led, targeted inspections. Enforcement action is taken where evidence of illegal activity is found.

Recycling

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information his Department has on specific problems related to recycling of waste by the school and college sector.

Ben Bradshaw: Under section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 local authorities have a duty to collect waste from education establishments, if requested to do so, free of disposal charges. Those that use local authority waste collection services can ask to be included in the recycling service provided by the local authority. However, schools and colleges are free to make whatever arrangements they see fit for waste management. There are a number of mechanisms they can use to include recycling even where they have existing long term waste contracts that must be honoured. These include engaging community groups or even setting up their own in-house schemes. Due to the quantities of waste involved this often means they have fewer problems than others. The primary factor determining whether or not a school or college recycles is the will to do it.
	Our new Waste Strategy, to be published in the new year, will emphasise the importance of recycling non-municipal as well as household waste, and set out how schools and businesses can do more.
	In addition, the Waste and Resources Action Programme is currently redeveloping an existing schools programme, previously run by Waste Watch. The campaign has been revamped to link more closely with the messages of the Recycle Now campaign and increase its effectiveness.

Recycling

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding has been allocated for school recycling projects in England; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 24 July 2006,  Official Report, column 726W.

Rural Payments Agency

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the employment position is of Johnston McNeill.

Barry Gardiner: Johnston McNeill is currently on paid leave of absence and we are in the process of taking the appropriate action to bring his employment to an end. We are actively taking steps to conclude this as a matter of urgency.
	Clearly, the details of this are part of Johnston McNeill's employment with DEFRA and it is therefore not appropriate to disclose details.

Rural Payments Agency

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints were received against  (a) the Rural Payments Agency and  (b) its (i) permanent and (ii) agency staff in each year since 2001-02, broken down by nature of complaint.

Barry Gardiner: The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) does not monitor separately official complaints made to its customer relations unit broken down by the nature of complaint.
	Since the establishment of RPA in October 2001 1,565 official complaints have been received covering all areas of its business. The following table shows these broken down by calendar year.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2001 3 
			 2002 212 
			 2003 197 
			 2004 206 
			 2005 424 
			 2006 523

Rural Payments Agency

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of total rural payments are outstanding; what the average delay in such cases has been; how many cases are delayed; and what compensation is being offered.

Barry Gardiner: Latest Single Payment Scheme figures show 98.81 per cent. of the estimated 1.528 billion fund has now been paid out, leaving 1.19 per cent. to pay.
	As the regulatory payment window closed on 30 June, all remaining payments are nearly five months late.
	Those still awaiting a payment now number 1,773, of which 40 are priority one claimants owed over 1,000 these include 30 probate cases and 10 that are difficult to resolve with issues such as business partnership disputes, liquidation and divorce.
	Compensation is being paid to customers as interest, under conditions announced by the Secretary of State for the Environment on 22 June. The interest payments are at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) +1 per cent., calculated from 1 July, subject to a minimum interest payment level of 50, to customers who have received SPS 2005 moneys after the 30 June regulatory payment window.

Rural Payments Agency

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many appeals have been made against reductions in single payment scheme payments as a result of cross-compliance.

Barry Gardiner: As at 16 November 2006 the Rural Payments Agency have received a total of eight formal single payment scheme appeals that concern cross-compliance issues.

Rural Payments Agency

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many claimants in the Forest of Dean have received  (a) full payment,  (b) an 80 per cent. partial payment and  (c) no payment under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme.

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what amount of payments under the Single Farm Payment Scheme in North Yorkshire has been paid in full; and what amount remains outstanding.

Barry Gardiner: Analysis by constituency of claimants or payments made under the Single Payment Scheme is not available at this present time but will be published in due course.

Rural Payments Agency

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to change the IT supplier for the single farm payment scheme.

Barry Gardiner: The RPA has no plans to change its IT suppliers.

Rural Payments Agency

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will visit the new livestock market in Shrewsbury to discuss problems with single farm payment provisions with local farmers.

Barry Gardiner: The Secretary of State has no plans to visit the livestock market in Shrewsbury, however, Lord Rooker, will be visiting the hon. Gentleman's constituency on 1 February to discuss agriculture issues, including the Single Payment Scheme.

Rural Payments Agency

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that the Rural Payments Agency will make a substantial part payment of the 2006 payments due before the end of 2006 under the single payment scheme.

Barry Gardiner: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 715.

Rural Payments Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what  (a) formal and  (b) informal discussions have taken place between his Department and European Commission staff on the potential disallowance for administration of the 2005 single payment scheme.

Barry Gardiner: A number of discussions have taken place with the European Commission on the Rural Payments Agency's progress in administering the 2005 Single Payment Scheme. Formal discussions on disallowance take place in the context of the EU regulatory clearance of accounts procedure, which is still at an early stage in respect of 2005 scheme year payments.

Rural Payments Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to his intervention of 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 721, on what basis the figure of 25 million of his Department's budget deficit was allocated to the Rural Payments Agency.

Barry Gardiner: In fact, 23 million extra has been allocated for RPA's running costs recognising that efficiency savings have been delayed and to support making timely payments to farmers.

Sewage in Rivers

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions untreated sewage was discharged into the  (a) Hampshire Avon,  (b) River Nadder,  (c) River Ebble,  (d) River Wylye and  (e) River Bourne in Wiltshire in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006.

Ian Pearson: The Environment Agency's National Incident Recording System (NIRS) show that there were 33 sewage related discharges into the Hampshire Avon and its tributaries in 2005 and 21 such discharges so far in 2006. The following table summarises these incidents by category and river catchment.
	
		
			  River  Category  2005  2006( 1) 
			 Hampshire Avon(2) Category 1 0 0 
			  Category 2 2 1 
			  Category 3 or 4 13 9 
			 
			 River Nadder Category 1 0 0 
			  Category 2 0 0 
			  Category 3 or 4 4 2 
			 River Ebble Category 1 0 0 
			  Category 2 0 0 
			  Category 3 or 4 1 0 
			 
			 River Wylye Category 1 0 0 
			  Category 2 0 1 
			  Category 3 or 4 12 3 
			 
			 River Bourne Category 1 0 0 
			  Category 2 0 0 
			  Category 3 or 4 1 5 
			 
			 Total Category 1 0 0 
			  Category 2 2 2 
			  Category 3 or 4 31 19 
			 (1 )To 22 November 2006. (2) Source to Christchurch. 
		
	
	Each incident was investigated to establish the cause and to quantify the impact. For Category 1 and 2 incidents (those with the greatest impact) the Environment Agency also gather evidence which may be used to support subsequent enforcement action. In addition, the Environment Agency would ensure that visible evidence of sewage pollution is removed from the river and that the polluter takes action to prevent a reoccurrence of the incident.

Sheep Dip

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research his Department has undertaken on alternatives to organophosphate diazinon in sheep dips.

Ben Bradshaw: DEFRA and the Scottish Executive have been funding research into alternatives to conventional veterinary medicines for control of sheep scab for several years. To date the cost of this programme has been 4.4 million.
	Three main approaches are being investigated. These are the development of vaccines, the development of scab mite growth-regulators and investigations into biological control techniques. The results for the vaccines and the mite growth regulators have been encouraging and so research requirements for new projects have been advertised and proposals are currently being considered.
	These are complex and long-term projects. If they do lead to the development of alternative products it is unlikely that such products will be available for many years.

Sheep Dip

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will review the use of organophosphate diazinon in sheep dips.

Ben Bradshaw: The use of sheep dip products containing diazinon would only be reviewed if new evidence was received that they could not be used safely. This is currently not the case. Packaging designed to prevent the operator from coming into contact with the concentrated material was fully introduced by July 2002 and since that time there has only been one reported case of a human adverse reaction arising from the use of organophosphate dip products.

Soil Protection Review

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the basis was for the decision that farmers should be required to complete the Cross Compliance Soil Protection Review.

Barry Gardiner: Under Council Regulation EC 1782/2003 (Article 5 and Annex IV), member states have to set standards in order to maintain land in good agricultural and environmental condition. This includes a requirement to address the problems associated with soil erosion, soil organic matter and soil structure. The Soil Protection Review is designed to meet this requirement.
	In England, following extensive discussion with farmers and a full public consultation in spring 2004, we announced our intention to introduce the requirement for a simple soil management planthe Soil Protection Reviewfrom 2006.
	The risk-based approach adopted in the Soil Protection Review allows farmers to choose appropriate measures specific to their holding. This approach was generally favoured by stakeholders in preference to a requirement to comply with an extensive list of prescriptive national soil management standards.

State Veterinary Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the budgets for  (a) the State Veterinary Service and  (b) the Veterinary Laboratories Agency have been reduced for (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08.

Barry Gardiner: I refer my hon. Friend to my written answer of 24 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 1723-24W, in which I stated that the resource budget for the State Veterinary Service for the current fiscal year had been reduced by 3 million and the resource budget for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency Service for the current fiscal year had been reduced by 2.4 million.
	However, as our noble Friend Lord Rooker's statement to the other House explained, there was an increase of 3 million in the capital budget of the State Veterinary Service so there was no net reduction in their budget.
	Planned budgets for 2007-08 are still being discussed with the relevant bodies.

Stewardship

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what take-up there has been of crop protection management plans within entry level stewardship.

Barry Gardiner: As at 20 November 2006, there were 10,158 Entry Level Environmental Stewardship agreements with crop protection management plans as part of the scheme.

Thames Barrier

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what high tide level was recorded on each occasion on which the Thames Barrier has been closed.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 23 November 2006
	The Thames Barrier and Associated Tidal Defences criteria to operate are based on two factors:
	the forecast tide level at Southend, and
	the river flow over Teddington Weir in west London.
	If the combination of these would cause the overtopping of the walls and embankments in the centre of London then the defences are operated.
	A list of the high tides at Southend on each occasion when the Thames Barrier has been closed has been placed in the Library of the House.

Thames Estuary

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made on the Thames Estuary 2100 project; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Environment Agency's Thames Estuary 2100 project is developing a tidal flood risk management plan for London and the Thames Estuary for the next 100 years, to include consideration of the likely impact of climate change, sea level rise and increased sea surge.
	The project is investigating a balance of measures such as the timing and design of future flood defences, resilience of new and existing developments and flood warning systems and emergency response. The Agency has completed the first phase of studies to inform further refinement and costing of options and is expecting to go to public consultation on these options in late spring 2007. A draft final plan is expected in 2008 which will then undergo further consultation before final submission to DEFRA.

Vehicles (End of Life)

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what obligation an owner of an unviable motor vehicle, who wants to dispose of it, is under to take it to an authorised disposal facility.

Ben Bradshaw: An owner of an unviable motor vehicle wishing to discard it is required by the End of Life Vehicles Regulations 2003 to take it to an authorised treatment facility, or to an agent who will do this on their behalf.
	The End of Life Vehicle Regulations 2003 transpose part of the End of Life Vehicles Directive and require sites that keep or treat end-of-life vehicles to meet minimum standards to avoid pollution to the environment or harm to human health. Such authorised treatment facilities must be in possession of a waste management licence and are regulated in England and Wales by the Environment Agency.

Veterinary Products Committee

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many members of the Veterinary Products Committee also sit on the Medical and Scientific Panel.

Ben Bradshaw: Two members of the Veterinary Products Committee are also members of the Medical and Scientific Panel.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Government will act to stop the export of waste electrical and electronic equipment that leaves the UK under the guise of being reusable when it has not been tested to see whether items are safe and fit for purpose.

Ben Bradshaw: Tackling the illegal shipment of waste electrical and electronic equipment is one of many priorities in ensuring environmentally sound management of waste around the globe.
	Controls on the transfrontier shipments of waste apply to electrical and electronic equipment where they are classified as waste. It rests, in the first place, with the producer or the holder of a piece of equipment to decide whether it is being discarded or not. It is Government policy that no waste, including electrical and electronic waste, should be exported from the UK for disposal.
	The Environment Agency (EA) has issued advice on the controls which apply to the import and export of waste electrical and electronic equipment. This is available from the EA's website:
	http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/tfs_01_1341027.pdf.
	The UK takes the issue of illegal shipments of waste very seriously. In September 2005, the Government wrote to all waste disposal and collection authorities in England and Wales to confirm the controls that apply to exports of waste electrical and electronic equipment and reminding them to assure themselves that their waste is managed in accordance with national, EU and international obligations.
	The EA is continuing with its work to detect and prevent the illegal export of waste through targeted inspection based on intelligence received on illegal activity.

Waste Management

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with  (a) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport,  (b) the Greater London Authority and  (c) the Olympic Delivery Authority on whether London waste authorities should be in general conformity with the Mayor's Municipal Waste Management Strategy when undertaking their litter functions under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Some discussion has taken place between relevant officials in this Department and the Greater London Authority. No discussions have taken place with the Department for Culture Media and Sport and the Olympic Delivery Authority regarding whether London waste authorities should be in general conformity with the Mayor's Municipal Waste Management Strategy when undertaking their litter functions under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Waste Management

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition he uses of waste authorities  (a) having regard to and  (b) being in general conformity with the Mayor's Municipal Waste Strategy when delivering their functions under part II of the Environment Protection Act 1990 in the context of The Greater London Authority: The Government's Final Proposals for Additional Powers and Responsibilities for the Mayor and Assembly; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: On 13 July this year, the Government announced the outcome of their review of the powers and responsibilities of the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority. As part of this, the Government announced a change in the requirement for waste authorities to have regard to the Mayor's Municipal Waste Management Strategy in delivering their waste service to
	acting in general conformity with
	the Mayor's strategy. This will be defined further in guidance, which will follow in due course.

Waste Management

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what statutory powers the London Waste and Recycling Forum is expected to have to deal with  (a) waste management,  (b) the introduction of new waste management technology,  (c) the co-ordination of the transportation of waste and use of the river and canal network,  (d) climate change,  (e) the setting up of a hydrogen fuel network,  (f) finding cost efficiencies,  (g) delivering the landfill directive,  (h) reducing the export of waste to landfills in regions surrounding London and  (i) the London street scene.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 20 November 2006
	The London-wide Waste and Recycling Forum will bring stakeholders together to deliver improved performance on waste minimisation and recycling, promote collaborative action and link waste with other London priorities around climate change, transport and employment. The Government do not propose that the forum should have statutory powers.

Waste Management

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what statutory powers the Mayor will have under proposals set out in July by the Greater London Authority to deliver the litter aspects of the Mayor's waste strategy.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 20 November 2006
	The Mayor will have no statutory powers under the proposals set out in July by the Greater London Authority to deliver the litter aspects of his waste strategy.

Waste Management

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential to introduce a regional element to the Waste Infrastructure Development Programme for English regions outside London.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 22 November 2006
	The Waste Infrastructure Development Programme (WIDP) is a national programme which will work with local authorities and the regions to accelerate the building of new waste diversion infrastructure.

Waste Management

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans there are to dispose of London's residual waste to landfill sites outside London.

Ben Bradshaw: Waste planning for London is the responsibility of the Mayor, whose Spatial Strategy envisages London becoming 85 per cent. self-sufficient with regards to waste management by 2020. The Government propose to strengthen the Mayor's waste planning powers to assist him in providing the necessary additional waste management capacity in London.

Waste Management

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much of London's waste was disposed of at Newton Longville landfill site in the last 12 months; and how much he estimates will be disposed of at Newton Longville landfill site in each of the next 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Environment Agency holds records of waste arising from London disposed of at the Newton Longville landfill site. Their data, based on operator waste returns, show that 11,668.78 tonnes of London's waste were disposed at the site from April 2005 to March 2006; 15,169.62 tonnes were disposed from April 2006 to September 2006.
	The Environment Agency does not hold, or have access to, data on future disposal rates and waste origins for this site. This is a commercial matter between the landfill operator, the waste recycling group, and any London boroughs that have contracts with the operator. The Mayor of London's Waste Planning Office deals with the matter of waste planning for the London boroughs.

Waste Management

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with Gloucestershire County Council on its proposals to concentrate its handling of composting and waste food disposal at Javelin Park, Haresfield, Stroud constituency.

Ben Bradshaw: No such discussions have taken place. The Government believe that local authorities are best placed to make local waste management decisions.

Waste Recycling

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the household waste recycling rates were in of each English region in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what the rates were in each year since 1996-97.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 21 November 2006
	The information requested is set out in the following tables.
	
		
			  Household recycling rates in 1996-97 to 2000-01 
			  Percentage 
			  Region  1996-97  1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01 
			 North East 3.8 4.4 3.7 3.6 4.1 
			 North West 4.9 5.4 6.0 6.9 7.5 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 3.7 5.1 6.0 6.8 7.3 
			 East Midlands 6.5 7.2 8.6 10.5 13.1 
			 West Midlands 5.4 6.3 6.9 8.8 9.1 
			 East 9.3 10.5 11.9 14.1 15.2 
			 London 6.0 7.0 7.6 9.0 9.0 
			 South East 12.0 12.2 13.3 14.9 16.4 
			 South West 12.4 12.3 13.6 13.7 14.9 
		
	
	
		
			  Household recycling rates in 2001-02 to 2005-06 
			  Percentage 
			  Region  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 ( 1) 2005-06 
			 North East 5.2 6.6 12.2 15.4 21.1 
			 North West 9.2 11.3 14.2 19.2 23.8 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 8.9 11.2 14.5 18.6 21.8 
			 East Midlands 13.7 15.1 19.3 26.3 31.8 
			 West Midlands 10.2 13.0 15.7 19.9 25.1 
			 East 17.4 19.4 23.4 29.8 34.1 
			 London 9.3 10.9 13.3 17.6 20.7 
			 South East 17.7 19.6 22.8 26.1 29.2 
			 South West 16.6 18.6 21.4 26.6 31.4 
			 (1) Figures for 2005-06 are estimates and subject to change. 
		
	
	Further information is available on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/wastats/bulletin.htm.

Waste Recycling

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on waste management of Manchester's joint private finance initiative procurement; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 21 November 2006
	The Greater Manchester waste private finance initiative (PFI) project is strategically important to the UK in terms of the sheer volume of municipal solid waste that will be managed, and the significant contribution it is projected to make in helping the UK meet EU landfill directive targets for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste away from landfill. The project will commence in late 2007.
	It is anticipated that the project will divert 8 per cent. of the total required tonnage in the target year 2020, based on the 2001-02 starting position. In recognition of the large proportion of biodegradable municipal waste the project is projected to divert, it has been allocated a comparatively large amount of PFI credits100 millionwhich is equivalent to 6.66 million per 100,000 tonnes of waste.

Waste Strategy

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what meetings  (a) he and  (b) Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of the waste industry in the course of his Department's review of England's Waste Strategy;
	(2)  what representations his Department received from  (a) the Environmental Services Association,  (b) the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management,  (c) Veolia Environmental,  (d) the Waste Recycling Group,  (e) Cory Environmental,  (f) SITA and  (g) Shanks in the course of his Department's review of England's Waste Strategy.

Ben Bradshaw: DEFRA Ministers and officials have met with various representatives of the waste industry in the course of our review of England's Waste Strategy. In developing the draft strategy we have been working closely with stakeholders in an open and transparent manner using a wide range of consultation methods, including workshops, seminars, bilateral contacts and structured interviews. This was followed by a formal 12 week public consultation.
	The Environmental Services Association, the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management, Cory Environmental, SITA UK and Shanks PFI Investments Limited all responded to our public consultation on the review of the Waste Strategy. I have arranged for copies of their responses to be placed in the Library of the House.

Waste Strategy

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what distinctions are made between mass-burn incineration and anaerobic digestion in his Department's policy on energy from waste.

Ben Bradshaw: There are several technologies available to derive energy from waste (EfW). The Government do not favour mass burn incineration over other technologies such as refuse derived fuel, gasification and pyrolysis.
	The Department's policy is to classify anaerobic digestion of waste as a form of recycling, rather than EfW. As such, it benefits from inclusion in the recycling Best Value Performance Indicators. Electricity produced in anaerobic digestion plants also receives Renewable Obligation Certificates, which are not routinely available to EfW plants.

Water Industry

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress he has made in implementing the conclusions of the Government's Water Affordability Report of December 2004 in respect of low income families.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders) on 16 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1076W.

Water Use

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what total water use was in England and Wales in each year since 1997, broken down by water company area.

Ian Pearson: Total water use, by the household and non-household sectors, for each water company since 1997-98 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Water use 1997-98 to 2005-06 (Mld) 
			   1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Anglian 932 911 920 903 896 923 925 912 914 
			 Dwr Cymru 644 628 624 622 633 632 629 628 626 
			 Northumbrian 595 594 590 576 573 554 552 544 541 
			 United Utilities 1,477 1,440 1,434 1,443 1,447 1,443 1,457 1,402 1,421 
			 Severn Trent 1,503 1,504 1,508 1,498 1,500 1,383 1,422 1,390 1,372 
			 South West 339 337 337 333 341 343 355 353 344 
			 Southern 495 485 483 478 499 492 496 483 479 
			 Thames 1,732 1,682 1,853 1,853 1,845 1,849 1,876 1,842 1,887 
			 Wessex 230 275 276 277 282 281 293 288 283 
			 Yorkshire 925 904 926 928 969 955 953 953 944 
			 Bournemouth and W. Hants 131 126 133 130 130 134 141 140 135 
			 Bristol 243 239 235 232 239 233 237 230 232 
			 Cambridge 58 57 57 57 53 59 61 61 61 
			 Dee Valley 58 59 58 58 53 53 59 57 58 
			 Essex and Suffolk 405 399 393 383 396 391 403 389 393 
			 Folkestone 40 40 40 40 42 41 42 38 37 
			 Md Kent 127 127 130 126 128 128 135 132 131 
			 Portsmouth 145 143 150 145 149 145 155 148 146 
			 South East 283 282 287 289 297 299 320 316 311 
			 South Staffs 256 249 249 252 257 254 261 252 251 
			 Sutton and East Surrey 130 126 129 128 134 135 143 136 134 
			 Tendring Hundred 26 24 24 24 25 25 26 25 25 
			 Three Valleys 653 646 665 681 703 697 733 714 715 
			 Industry 11,477 11,274 11,495 11,455 11,605 11,468 11,680 11,432 11,443

Water/Sewerage Services

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average monthly cost to consumers was of  (a) water services and  (b) sewerage services to (i) metered and (ii) unmetered customers in each water supply area in 2006-07.

Ian Pearson: Ofwat is the economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales. In December 2004 it set price limits for the period 2005-10.
	The following table sets out the forecast average monthly cost of water and sewerage services in 2006-07, for metered and unmetered customers. Each figure is based on the forecast annual average bill for the particular service. Individual bills can be more or less than the average. More information can be found in Ofwat's Water and sewerage charges 2006-07 report.
	
		
			   
			   Unmetered water  Metered water  Unmetered sewerage  Metered sewerage 
			  Water and sewerage companies 
			 Anglian 14 10 17 13 
			 Dwr Cymru 13 9 18 11 
			 Northumbrian 11 10 13 11 
			 Northumbrian 10 9 13 11 
			 Essex and Suffolk 14 11   
			 Severn Trent 12 10 11 11 
			 South West 17 12 30 18 
			 Southern 10 9 18 14 
			 Thames 14 12 9 8 
			 United Utilities 12 11 14 13 
			 Wessex 15 11 16 12 
			 Yorkshire 12 10 13 11 
			  
			  Water only companies 
			 Bournemouth and West Hampshire 12 10   
			 Bristol 12 10   
			 Cambridge 10 8   
			 Cholderton 15 12   
			 Dee Valley 11 8   
			 Folkestone and Dover 15 13   
			 Mid Kent 14 11   
			 Portsmouth 7 7   
			 South East 14 12   
			 South Staffordshire 9 9   
			 Sutton and East Surrey 13 10   
			 Tendring Hundred 17 12   
			 Three Valleys 13 11   
			  Average monthly cost 2006-07

NORTHERN IRELAND

Car Parking (Coleraine)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the Department of Regional Development to start work on site to provide multi storey car parking in Coleraine.

David Hanson: The Department for Social Development issued a development brief in respect of the Abbey Street and Mall car park sites in November 2005. One of the objectives of the development brief was to address the parking shortfall in Coleraine town centre. The Department is currently assessing the development proposals which have been submitted in response to the development brief. It is hoped that the Department will be in a position to appoint a preferred developer or developers for these sites by mid 2007. This would allow construction work to commence on one of them by early 2008.

Children/Young People Strategy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the timescale is for the development of the action plan for the 2006 to 2016 strategy for children and young people.

Maria Eagle: I intend to publish the action plan before the end of the year.

Dromore Central Primary School

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the acquisition of a site for the new Dromore Central primary school.

Maria Eagle: I understand that the Southern Education and Library Board have been investigating site options for Dromore Central primary school and are pursuing the acquisition of a new site at Mossvale Road, Dromore.

Olympics (2012)

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what bids he has made for Northern Ireland to host events during the 2012 Olympic games.

Maria Eagle: As set out in London 2012's Candidate File, if Northern Ireland develops its planned multi-sport stadium, this venue will be considered as a location for preliminary rounds of the Olympic football competition. Northern Ireland will also seek to host pre-games training and acclimatisation camps. In addition, it is intended that events which are part of the cultural Olympiad including the torch relay will take place in Northern Ireland.

Planning Service

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new planning officers  (a) were recruited by and  (b) left the Planning Service in each of the municipal areas in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

David Cairns: The information requested is not available by municipal area but can be provided on the basis of the Planning Service's various offices, which are spread throughout Northern Ireland.
	
		
			  Recruitment of planning officers 
			   Year of recruitment 
			  Allocated to:  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006( 1)  Total 
			 Ballymena 8 9 10 12  39 
			 Belfast 10 8 4 6  28 
			 Coleraine 6 5 7 2  20 
			 Craigavon 16 12 17 13  58 
			 Downpatrick 11 7 9 8  35 
			 HQ 15 13 11 5  44 
			 Enniskillen 2 1 0 1  4 
			 Omagh 10 4 7 12  33 
			 Derry 3 3 4 1  11 
			 (1) To date.  Note: This does not include staff already in post who were successful on external competitions. 
		
	
	
		
			  Planning officers who left the planning service (resignations and retirements) 
			  Division  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006( 1)  Total 
			 Ballymena 3  1 4 6 14 
			 Belfast 2 2 1 2 5 12 
			 Coleraine   1  2 3 
			 Craigavon  2 2 3 6 13 
			 Downpatrick 1 2 4 3 7 17 
			 HQ 4 3 2 6 6 21 
			 Enniskillen2 1 3 
			 Omagh 1 2 1 3 2 9 
			 Derry 2  2 1  5 
			 (1) To date.

Planning Service

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what account will be taken in the assessment of domestic planning applications by the Planning Service in Northern Ireland which include energy efficient measures.

David Cairns: Current published planning policy does not provide specifically for small scale renewable energy sources, this is however being addressed by the Department with a new Planning Policy Statement due to be published early next year.
	A consultation paper on wider permitted development rights for domestic renewable energy sources is also due to be published in early 2007.
	At this current time planning applications which incorporate energy efficient measures are determined on their individual merits taking account of the need to facilitate renewable energy sources balanced against protecting the residential amenity of neighbouring dwellings.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of ethnic minorities are serving as permanent full-time police officers in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: I am advised that as at 23 November 2006, there were 21 members of ethnic minorities serving as permanent full-time police officers in Northern Ireland. This equates to 0.29 per cent. of the overall workforce composition which compares favourably with the overall level (0.48 per cent.) of the working age ethnic minority population. Moreover, the PSNI have a number of positive outreach campaigns aimed at recruiting people from ethnic minorities.

Prisons

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the current  (a) male and  (b) female prison population in Northern Ireland is; and how many (i) male and (ii) female prison vacancies there are in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: At 17 November 2006, there were 1,432 male and 38 female prisoners in Northern Ireland. Some 30 per cent. of male prisoners currently share a cell, (one house for young offenders at Hydebank Wood is closed for cell refurbishment). There are currently 24 vacant female cells, and 89 vacant male cells. However the latter figure includes 28 in separated conditions at Maghaberry, 18 in the Foyleview Resettlement Unit at Magilligan (which can only be used for lower risk prisoners) and 19 at one House in The Young Offenders Centre which is specifically allocated for under 18s. Work is ongoing to build two ready to use units, with a total of 180 cells, at Maghaberry and Magilligan Prisons.

Renewable Energy

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for personal grants to install renewable energy in private homes in Northern Ireland have been received by his Department.

Maria Eagle: As at 24 November 2006, 1,287 applications for grants for the installation of renewable technologies in private homes have been received, since the launch of the EREF Household Programme on 24 July 2006.

Renewable Energy

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department plans to take to advertise renewable energy funding packages.

Maria Eagle: When the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund was launched by the Secretary of State in February there was substantial media coverage of the new fund and its various elements. A senior information officer has been appointed within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to promote all aspects of the fund through an integrated communications strategy, linked to the overall Northern Ireland sustainable development strategy. Specific programmes, such as the Household Renewables Programme launched in July and the Energy from Waste call made in September have already been given prominence through the media and there has been an excellent response to both schemes.

RPA Central Joint Forum

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what  (a) meetings and  (b) consultation the RPA Central Joint Forum has held with organisations representing (i) doctors, (ii) nurses and (iii) midwives.

David Hanson: The Central Joint Forum holds meetings and consultation with representatives of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The forum has met monthly since June 2006. A representative of Unison, whose membership includes nursing staff, attends the meetings. Organisations representing doctors and midwives are not affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and so do not attend these meetings.
	A separate forum for unions not affiliated to Congress was established in October 2006 and this includes organisations representing doctors, nurses and midwives. This forum also meets monthly.

Sustainable Development

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what resources he has allocated to ensure that the target that 95 per cent. of features on statutory designated sites should be in or approaching favourable condition by 2016 is met.

David Cairns: An additional 150,000 was allocated to EHS towards the designation and management of Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) in this financial year.
	Land management practices that are considered necessary to maintain or improve the scientific features of statutory designated sites are secured by Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) through the Management of Sensitive Sites scheme (MOSS) it administers.
	A recent review of the MOSS scheme has indicated that appropriate land management practices may also be secured through the application of agri-environment schemes operated by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development under the Rural Development Programme, and the possible use of this additional avenue for securing the improved management of designated sites is presently being examined by both Departments.

Sustainable Development

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the basis was for the decision to delay the Public Service Agreement target in the Sustainable Development Strategy that 95 per cent. of features on statutory designated sites should be in or approaching favourable condition until 2016.

David Cairns: The target to bring 95 per cent. of features on statutory designated sites into favourable, or approaching favourable, condition by 2013 was withdrawn as a Public Service Agreement target in 2003.
	The monitoring of Areas of Special Scientific Interest as part of the UK's Common Standards Monitoring programme is ongoing in Northern Ireland and the first full monitoring cycle of ASSIs will be completed in 2008. The results of the first three years of this monitoring have revealed that two thirds of features within designated sites are in favourable condition, but the other third are in unfavourable condition.
	Restoring those features that are in unfavourable condition will be a challenging task and given that we are dealing with natural processes, any restorative measures put in place will need time to take effect and achieve the desired results.

Wind Farms

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what meetings  (a) he and  (b) his officials have held with Concordia since its formation in relation to wind farm development in Northern Ireland; what correspondence there has been between his Department and Concordia in this period; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Since Concordia's formation, no meetings have been held between them and the Secretary of State, or his officials, in relation to wind farm development in Northern Ireland. There has been no correspondence between the Departments involved in wind farm development and Concordia.

Wind Farms

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long the Planning Service took to process planning applications made by  (a) private individuals and  (b) businesses for wind farms in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

David Cairns: The average processing times for those wind farm applications determined in each year since 2002 are set out as follows. None of the applications determined during this period have been from private individuals, all have been from businesses. In all of these applications there has been a requirement for the applicant to submit further environmental information.
	
		
			   Number of applications  Average processing time (months) 
			 2002 0 n/a 
			 2003 4 27 
			 2004 1 18 
			 2005 3 14 
			 2006(1) 3 21 
			 (1) To date.  Note: It is important to note that due to the small number of wind farm applications an average processing time scale can be misleading. Each site differs in terms of the size, scale and location of the proposal and the quality of the environmental information submitted with the application will greatly influence the processing time.

WALES

Departmental Contracts

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department paid to DHL in each financial year between 1997-98 and 2005-06.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office was established in July 1999, and since that time we have not used DHL.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether people employed  (a) through employment agencies and  (b) on a consultancy basis are included in the calculations for the full-time equivalent staff mentioned in his Department's annual report.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office employs only a small number of temporary staff from employment agencies at any one time. No staff are employed on a consultancy basis.
	Temporary staff employed through employment agencies are not included in the calculations for full-time equivalent staff mentioned in the departmental annual report.

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which statistics have been put forward by his Department for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets his Department has produced in total in each of the last five years.

Peter Hain: The current list of national statistics produced by the National Assembly for Wales can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ns_ons/nsproducts/default.asp
	A list of changes to the scope of national statistics (additions and withdrawals) in each of the last five years can be found in the relevant National Statistics annual report available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1051
	In addition to National Statistics, the Wales Office publishes a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including other data produced from the management and administration of the Department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term statistics sets and no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish his Department's gender equality scheme.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office forms part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) for administrative purposes, and is therefore subject to the DCA's policies for ensuring equality.
	In line with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930), laid on 10 November 2006, the DCA expects to publish its gender equality scheme by 30 April 2007.

Health Finances

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure that the National Assembly for Wales pays the same for Welsh patients being treated at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital as English authorities do for Shropshire patients.

Peter Hain: I understand that Welsh local health boards currently pay for treatment of Welsh patients in English hospitals at an agreed local price, which is below the English national tariff. This difference in pricing is being actively addressed through discussions between NHS chiefs in England and Wales on the possibility of a common tariff for future payments.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the occasions since he has held his present office when he has used  (a) rail services,  (b) the London Underground,  (c) tram or light railway services and  (d) buses in connection with his ministerial duties.

Peter Hain: All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the 'Ministerial Code' and 'Travel by Ministers', copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House. Although guidance makes clear that Ministers should use public transport where possible, account must also be taken of security considerations.
	Since being appointed to the posts of Secretary of State for Wales and for Northern Ireland in May 2005, I have travelled on seven occasions by train in connection with my role as Secretary of State for Wales.
	I have not used the London Underground, tram, light railway or buses in the course of these ministerial duties.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Adjournment Debates

John Robertson: To ask the Leader of the House if he will take steps to increase the number of adjournment debates during the parliamentary session.

Jack Straw: As a result of the opportunities provided by Westminster Hall, the number of adjournment debates initiated by backbenchers has increased significantly, with over 500 such debates in 2003-04. I am always keen to extend such opportunities for colleagues where possible.
	The issue can be discussed within the context of the new inquiries which the Modernisation Committee is about to begin into strengthening the role of the backbencher and into making better use of non-legislative time.

Accessibility

Graham Allen: To ask the Leader of the House what discussions he has had with the Royal Institute of British Architects on improving public accessibility to the proceedings on the floor of the House since June 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: My right hon. Friend has had no such discussions.

Westminster Hall

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Leader of the House what assessment he has made of the role of Westminster Hall debates in providing time for hon. Members to debate issues of concern.

Nigel Griffiths: My right hon. Friend has made no specific assessment.
	The Government believe that the arrangements made for proceedings in Westminster Hall since they were made permanent in October 2002 have worked well and have provided significant additional opportunities for hon. Members to raise issues of concern. In the last session (2005-06) there were over 450 debates in Westminster Hall on topics chosen by private Members.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Leader of the House 
	(1)  when he expects to publish the Privy Council Office's gender equality scheme;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to ensure that private organisations contracted to work in the Privy Council's Office are aware of their duties under gender equality legislation when they are exercising public functions on behalf of public bodies;
	(3)  what plans he has to carry out gender impact assessments of his major policy developments and new legislation;
	(4)  what steps he is taking to ensure that the Privy Council's Office is taking steps to meet the requirements of the forthcoming duty on public bodies  (a) to end unlawful discrimination and harassment and  (b) to promote equality between women and men.

Jack Straw: In line with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930), laid on 10 November 2006, the Privy Council Office (PCO) expects to publish its Gender Equality Scheme by 30 April 2007. This scheme will complement existing policies on equality within the PCO.
	Any private sector organisations carrying out functions of a public nature on behalf of the PCO will be required to comply with the general gender equality duty. To assist the PCO in ensuring that private sector contractors providing goods, works or services on our behalf, are aware of their obligations under the general gender equality duty we will refer to the Equal Opportunities Commission's (EOC) Code of Practice of the Gender Equality Duty and any further EOC guidance when available.
	This Department has no lead responsibility for major policy developments and new legislation at present. Should this position change, however, the PCO will carry out gender impact assessments in line with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities)(Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930). We shall also refer to EOC Code of Practice on the Gender Equality Duty and any specific guidance when available.

Ministerial Pensions

Anne Milton: To ask the Leader of the House what the average annual ministerial pension payment for a former Government Minister was in  (a) 1985,  (b) 1995 and  (c) 2005.

Jack Straw: Pensions for Ministers and former Ministers comprise benefits from the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF) plus a supplementary pension in respect of service as a Minister. On retirement, the PCPF pension and the supplementary pension are amalgamated and paid as a single pension. As a result the information requested is only available at disproportionate cost.

PRIME MINISTER

Today Interviews

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister how many times he has been interviewed by John Humphreys on BBC Radio 4 Today programme since May 1997.

Tony Blair: This is a matter of public record.

Allawi Family

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister which members of the Allawi family have visited Downing Street since 1 January 2006.

Tony Blair: None.

Departmental Website

Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister which topics were addressed in the questions  (a) submitted to and  (b) answered in his online question and answer session with the public on 16 November; and if he will publish the URL on the Number 10 website where the web chat may be viewed.

Tony Blair: A transcript and broadcast of the online interview are available on the Number 10 website at:
	http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page10423.asp.
	A copy has also been placed in the Library of the House.

Downing Street (Functions)

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  which Ministers have hosted non-official party receptions or functions in No. 10 Downing street since May 1997;
	(2)  on what date each function held at No. 10 Downing street in the last two years took place where the costs were met by political parties and organisations for the purpose of providing financial support to political parties.

Tony Blair: As was the practice under previous administrations and in accordance with the Ministerial Code (4.2), I have hosted a number of political events at Downing street. The costs were met by the Labour Party.

Dr. Kizza Besigye

Mike Hancock: To ask the Prime Minister if he will meet Dr Kizza Besigye while he is in Uganda.

Tony Blair: I have no current plans to do so.

Drugs Trade (Afghanistan)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what discussions he had on  (a) the drugs trade from Afghanistan,  (b) the effectiveness of counter cross-border incursion and  (c) the compact with tribal leaders in Afghanistan-Pakistan border areas, with particular reference to cross-border intelligence and drug activities during his recent meeting with President Musharraf;
	(2)  what representations he made to the President of Pakistan during his recent visit on  (a) blasphemy laws,  (b) forced marriages,  (c) discrimination against the Ahmadi community,  (d) honour killings,  (e) child labour and  (f) bonded labour in Pakistan.

Tony Blair: I discussed a wide range of issues with President Musharraf during my recent visit to Pakistan, including the situation in Afghanistan and counter-terrorism.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the press conference I held with President Musharraf on 19 November. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

E-mail Address

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a direct e-mail address at which the public may contact him.

Tony Blair: Members of the public can email me via the No. 10 website.

Freedom of Information

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister how many Freedom of Information Act requests his Office has received since May 2006; and how many  (a) are in train,  (b) are concluded and  (c) were answered within 20 working days.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 12 September 2005,  Official Report, column 2248W, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Gifts

John Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  where the wine held by his Office as part of the Donated Asset Reserve is stored;
	(2)  to what use his Office has put the  (a) Segway transporter and  (b) electric Ferrari received as gifts; and for what reason it was decided that each should be held by his Office as part of the Donated Asset Reserve.

Tony Blair: The arrangements for the handling of gifts are set out in chapter 5 of the Ministerial Code.

Gifts

John Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the items, gifted by  (a) foreign governments and  (b) domestic sources that he has authorised retiring ministers to take with them at the end of their time in government.

Tony Blair: The arrangements for gifts are set out in chapter 5 of the Ministerial Code.

Intercept Communications

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister whether it his policy that no authorisation will be given for the interception of communications in respect of  (a) hon. Members and  (b) Members of the House of Lords; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the written ministerial statement I made on 30 March 2006,  Official Report, columns 95-96WS and to the written statement given by my noble Friend the Leader of the House of Lords on 30 March 2006,  Official Report, column WS116.

Ministerial Code of Conduct

Simon Burns: To ask the Prime Minister whether the Ministerial Code of Conduct applies to Ministers notifying hon. Members when visiting their constituency for purposes other than Ministerial engagements; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: The Ministerial Code is a source of guidance and reference for Ministers as they undertake their official duties.

MISC 31

Mark Hoban: To ask the Prime Minister how many times the Ministerial Committee on Data Sharing (MISC 31) has met.

Tony Blair: Information relating to internal meetings, discussion and advice and the proceedings of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees is generally not disclosed, as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.
	Details of the membership and terms of reference of the Committee are available in the Libraries of both Houses and on the Cabinet Office website.

Office Costs

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister what the total cost of his Office was in the financial year 1996-97.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) on 27 February 2001,  Official Report, columns 592-93W.

Office Departments

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the  (a) sub-departments and  (b) departments within his Office.

Tony Blair: The details are set out in Dod's Civil Service Companion. Copies of the edition for 2007 can be found in the Libraries of the House.

Official Ministerial Duties (Expenses)

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister what the guidelines are on ministers claiming expenses in relation to their official ministerial duties.

Tony Blair: Guidelines for claiming expenses in relation to official duties are set out in Travel by Ministers and in departmental staff handbooks.

Visits

Anne Main: To ask the Prime Minister when he last visited St. Albans constituency.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to her on 13 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1997W.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Competent Persons Scheme

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when her Department will issue the accreditation framework to assess schemes to register companies and individuals for self-certification in respect of the Competent Persons Scheme.

Angela Smith: This Department expects all competent person self-certification schemes authorised under para 4(a) of Schedule 1 to the Building Act 1984 to seek and achieve, from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), suitable accreditation. We have discussed with UKAS and the competent person scheme operators the standard and criteria for accreditation and will continue this. When these are agreed they will be made publicly available.

Departmental Staff

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will publish the proposed staff structure of her Department; and when it will be fully implemented.

Angela Smith: The departmental organisational structure as at 13 November 2006 is available on the Communities and Local Government website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/449/CommunitiesandLocalGovernmentorganisationchart _idl504449.pdf
	The website also details the rationale for the structures put in place following the restructuring exercise carried out during the summer.

Deprivation (Norwich, North)

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps have been taken to tackle deprivation in Norwich, North.

Phil Woolas: The former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister allocated Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) totalling 3.926 million (2006-08) to the Norwich Local Strategic Partnership to help it to improve the quality of life for people in the city's most deprived neighbourhoods by tackling crime, antisocial behaviour, education, poor health inequalities, worklessness, housing and liveability issues.
	The partnership has developed a Local Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plan to ensure these resources are effectively targeted at areas in greatest need. Among the initiatives proposed are the provision of intensive multi-agency support to families in crisis, and a dedicated neighbourhood management scheme for Mile Cross, aimed at changing the ways in which mainstream services are delivered to make them more responsive to the needs and priorities of deprived communities.
	Norwich has also made a bid for funding under the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) which is primarily aimed at increasing entrepreneurial activity in deprived areas. An announcement confirming the names of the successful bidding authorities is expected shortly.

Devon County Council

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the long-term debt of Devon county council was at the end of each financial year from 2001-02 to 2005-06.

Phil Woolas: The level of long-term debt of Devon county council at 31 March for each year from 2002 to 2006 is tabled as follows.
	
		
			   Long-term debt ( million) 
			 2002 338.6 
			 2003 365.3 
			 2004 409.6 
			 2005 449.6 
			 2006 539.6 
			  Note: Long-term is defined as a loan having an original maturity of 365 days or more.  Source: Monthly Borrowing and Lending Inquiry and Public Works Loan Board.

Fire Service

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) wholetime firefighters and  (b) retained firefighters were employed on 11 September (i) 2001 and (ii) in each subsequent year, broken down by fire authority area.

Angela Smith: The following information covers the number of whole-time and retained duty system firefighters employed by the Fire and Rescue Services in England over the period 2001-02 to 2004-05 (at 31 March in each year).
	
		
			  Number of fire and rescue service staff in postwhole-time and retained duty system 2001-02 to 2004-05 (at 31 March) 
			   Whole-time  Retained duty system 
			   2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 
			 Avon 651 639 678 669 218 215 213 220 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton 334 319 330 323 151 139 106 150 
			 Buckinghamshire 304 330 352 349 190 200 195 184 
			 Cambridgeshire 274 273 285 273 344 327 350 369 
			 Cheshire 626 623 616 602 190 199 199 198 
			 Cleveland 610 586 570 563 85 89 87 90 
			 Cornwall 183 192 205 201 425 431 413 418 
			 County Durham and Darlington 412 407 402 385 161 160 158 154 
			 Cumbria 274 274 271 274 439 461 458 467 
			 Derbyshire 482 467 479 475 364 341 353 354 
			 Devon 538 565 575 562 727 728 771 825 
			 Dorset 298 304 309 302 331 332 343 357 
			 East Sussex 423 423 453 434 240 291 224 241 
			 Essex 948 937 920 936 477 472 475 488 
			 Gloucestershire 226 233 238 239 289 298 285 296 
			 Greater Manchester 2,148 2,139 2,100 2,028 38 20 35 38 
			 Hampshire 770 799 808 790 688 673 704 707 
			 Hereford and Worcester 352 351 347 319 355 355 344 340 
			 Hertfordshire 570 564 574 564 261 208 268 257 
			 Humberside 720 721 728 710 327 335 344 351 
			 Isle of Wight 59 61 58 63 153 163 163 148 
			 Isles of Scilly 10 10 11 11 34 34 40 39 
			 Kent 951 938 942 892 736 719 739 111 
			 Lancashire 1,002 1,008 990 957 357 369 384 402 
			 Leicestershire 476 478 476 477 225 218 218 262 
			 Lincolnshire 187 192 187 195 495 498 529 506 
			 London 5,758 5,758 5,990 5,815 0 0 0 0 
			 Merseyside 1,317 1,342 1,319 1,276 0 0 0 21 
			 Norfolk 308 288 295 281 405 426 435 501 
			 North Yorkshire 364 351 363 358 366 392 324 381 
			 Northamptonshire 292 307 311 302 242 228 220 237 
			 Northumberland 208 209 198 193 187 177 187 189 
			 Nottinghamshire 576 589 587 549 354 356 349 339 
			 Oxfordshire 231 233 245 237 319 320 293 301 
			 Royal Berkshire 397 436 430 422 155 168 154 137 
			 Shropshire 206 216 216 208 299 289 294 294 
			 Somerset 181 181 179 184 372 364 373 377 
			 South Yorkshire 923 914 918 878 58 63 59 54 
			 Staffordshire 471 471 470 447 398 420 397 424 
			 Suffolk 253 250 244 257 401 415 399 425 
			 Surrey 686 693 669 673 129 130 134 133 
			 Tyne and Wear 1,009 999 970 945 23 23 23 23 
			 Warwickshire 282 279 284 276 178 189 191 179 
			 West Midlands 2,028 1,971 1,968 1,944 9 11 11 11 
			 West Sussex 393 395 409 394 311 323 295 353 
			 West Yorkshire 1,660 1,678 1,658 1,602 163 159 165 187 
			 Wiltshire 221 221 229 219 344 316 314 339 
			 England 31,592 31,614 31,856 31,053 13,013 13,044 13,015 13,543 
			  Source: Fire and Rescue Service returns to Department for Communities and Local Government

Fire Service

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many persons were rescued alive from fires in dwellings by the fire service in each year since 1994. [R]

Angela Smith: The available information is set out as follows:
	
		
			  Number of persons rescued alive from fires in dwellings: England 
			   Rescues 
			 1994 2,716 
			 1995 2,952 
			 1996 3,002 
			 1997 3,048 
			 1998 3,111 
			 1999 3,295 
			 2000 4,268 
			 2001 3,588 
			 2002(1) 4,169 
			 2003(1) 3,868 
			 2004 3,316 
			 2005(2) 3,246 
			 (1) Figures include estimates for incidents not recorded during periods of industrial action (2 )Provisional data  Source: FDR1 returns from fire and rescue services to the Department for Communities and Local Government

Fire Service

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) aircraft accidents were attended by the fire service and  (b) people were rescued alive from aircraft accidents by the fire service in each year since 1994.

Angela Smith: The available information covers the number of aircraft accidents attended by fire and rescue services, details of any associated rescues are not held centrally.
	
		
			  Number of aircraft accidents attended by fire and rescue services in England 
			   Number 
			 1994-95 259 
			 1995-96 309 
			 1996-97 317 
			 1997-98 299 
			 1998-99 378 
			 1999-2000 231 
			 2000-01 194 
			 2001-02 259 
			 2002-03 178 
			 2003-04 211 
			 2004-05 238 
			  Source:  Fire and rescue service returns to the Department for Communities and Local Government

Fire Service

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) railway accidents were attended by the fire service and  (b) people were rescued alive from railway accidents by the fire service in each year since 1994. [R]

Angela Smith: The available information covers the number of railway accidents (above and below ground) attended by fire and rescue services, details of any associated rescues are not held centrally.
	
		
			  Number of railway incidents attended by fire and rescue services in England 
			   Number 
			 1994-95 96 
			 1995-96 93 
			 1996-97 75 
			 1997-98 131 
			 1998-99 92 
			 1999-2000 67 
			 2000-01 108 
			 2001-02 92 
			 2002-03 97 
			 2003-04 69 
			 2004-05 75 
			  Source: Fire and rescue service returns to the Department for Communities and Local Government

Fire Service

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many lift rescues were carried out by the fire service in each year since 1994.

Angela Smith: The number of lift release incidents attended by fire and rescue services in England is set out as follows:
	
		
			   Number of incidents 
			 1994-95 23,005 
			 1995-96 24,446 
			 1996-97 23,070 
			 1997-98 24,013 
			 1998-99 23,689 
			 1999-2000 24,124 
			 2000-02 24,477 
			 2001-02 25,709 
			 2002-03 25,326 
			 2003-04 26,001 
			 2004-05 24,105 
			  Source: Fire and rescue service returns to Department for Communities and Local Government

Free Travel Scheme

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make good the shortfall in council tax revenues to local authorities in implementing the free travel scheme for the elderly.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 23 November 2006
	The Government have provided an extra 350 million in formula grant for concessionary bus fares for pensioners and disabled people in 2006-07. Decisions on the use of that money are for local authorities.

Government Offices

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost of running the Government Office for the South West was in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what work it has  (a) undertaken and  (b) completed in the Bournemouth area.

Angela Smith: For 2005-06 the Government Office for the South West (GOSW) running cost was 14.823 million. For 2006-07, it is forecast to be 14.717 million. GOSW's work is set out in its annual forward lookWhat's GOSW Doing? 2006-07 and in its annual review for 2005-06, available on the website www.gosw.gov.uk
	In Bournemouth the key priority this year is the development of a local area agreement, which should be finalised by March 2007. GOSW has worked with local partners on applying lessons from the Neighbourhood Management pathfinder in Boscombe and Springbourne to tackle deprivation across the borough; worked in partnership with the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to invest (534,274 in 2005-06, 436,541 for 2006-07) in measures to reduce crime, reassure the public and reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs. GOSW assessed the joint Local Transport Plan 2006 to 2011 and (2000 to 2005) delivery report which will inform transport funding decisions later this year. GOSW has also worked with the borough on delivery of the decent homes target, developing a housing market assessment and has shared good practice on homelessness.

Local Government Finance

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what  (a) powers and  (b) duties local authorities have to control urban taxes.

Phil Woolas: There are no specifically urban taxes.

Lyons Review

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many jobs in her Department have been relocated  (a) to Liverpool and  (b) elsewhere as a result of the Lyons Review; and how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for the relocation of staff under this programme.

Phil Woolas: Communities and Local Government has committed to relocate 240 posts, from the Department and its non-department public bodies, out of London and the south east by 2010 as a result of the Lyons Review.
	 (a) No posts from the Department have been relocated to Liverpool.
	 (b) As stated in the Department's 2006 annual report 93 posts were relocated by March 2006, to areas such as Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, and Bristol. A further update will be provided in the Department's autumn performance report.
	By the end of March 2006, the Department had relocated 11 posts as a result of the Lyons Review. Of these posts, none went to Liverpool (10 went to Manchester and one went to Wolverhampton). A further update will be provided in my Department's autumn performance report. We do not keep a record of how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for the relocation of staff.

Rate Relief

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in what circumstances rural public houses may apply for rate relief; what the current level of take-up is of  (a) mandatory relief and  (b) discretionary relief and what proportion of eligible public houses this represents in each case.

Phil Woolas: The rural rate relief scheme provides for mandatory rate relief of 50 per cent. of the rates bill to sole public houses with rateable values of no more than 9,000 provided they are located in rural settlements designated by the Secretary of State as a rural area by reference to maps or appear in local authorities' rural settlement lists. Local authorities also have a discretionary power to top-up the relief to 100 per cent. rate relief if they feel it is in the interests of the local community to do so.
	Information on the take-up of the rural rate relief for public houses and the number of eligible public houses is not available centrally. On the basis of returns completed by local authorities before the start of the current financial year, an estimated 5,905,947 is expected to be paid out in mandatory rate relief for village shops (including public houses) and 2,029,737 is expected to be paid out in discretionary relief to village shops.

Rate Relief

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she has plans to  (a) increase mandatory rate relief for rural public houses above 50 per cent. and  (b) extend rate relief to urban community public houses.

Phil Woolas: There are no plans to increase mandatory rate relief above 50 per cent. or to extend rate relief to public houses beyond qualifying rural settlements.

Regional Government

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding her Department gave to  (a) regional government offices,  (b) regional development agencies and  (c) regional assemblies in 2005-06.

Phil Woolas: The following table sets out the level of funding which the Department for Communities and Local Government expects to provide to the relevant bodies in the financial year 2006-07.
	
		
			million 
			  (a) Government Offices for the Regions 59.6 
			  (b) Regional Development Agencies (including London) 1,603 
			  (c) Regional Assemblies 19.3

Retirement Age

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities have mandatory retirement ages.

Phil Woolas: Local authorities are responsible for their own employment practices. Since 1 October 2006 all local authorities have been required to comply with age discrimination legislation, under which an employer may set a retirement age normally no earlier than age 65.
	The Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales has a normal retirement age, against which pensions are calculated and become payable, of 65 years. Where a member remains employed by his authority beyond age 65, payment of pension will be delayed and accrued pension rights can be actuarially enhanced. A member who chooses to cease employment earlier than age 65 can elect to draw his pension at any time after reaching age 60, or after reaching age 50 if his employer consents. The pension would normally be subject to actuarial reduction in these circumstances. There are also flexible retirement arrangements which allow employees, after reaching age 50, to draw pension subject to the consent of their employer, where they have agreed a change to their contractual conditions which results in a reduction of pay. Local authorities are required to have a policy dealing with the circumstances in which they may allow early release of pension.

Small Business Friendly Concordat

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  whether the Small Business Friendly Concordat is planned to be made a compulsory agreement; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what percentage of authorities has signed up to the Small Business Friendly Concordat voluntarily; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  when her Department plans to hold the first evaluation of local authority procurement under the Small Business Friendly Concordat; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  what assessment she has made of the  (a) extent to which the percentage of contracts handed to small to medium-sized enterprises has changed in the authorities which have adopted the Small Business Friendly Concordat and  (b) impact of the concordat on overall procurement costs; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  whether the Small Business Friendly Concordat has affected the level of local authority procurement from local businesses; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Small Business Friendly Concordat: Good Practice Guidance was launched by the then ODPM, the Local Government Association and the DTI's Small Business Service on 1 March 2005. The concordat is a voluntary, non-statutory code of practice that sets out what small firms and others supplying local Government can expect when tendering for local authority contacts. The concordat also sets out actions that local authorities will take to make their contracts more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). There are no plans to make the concordat a compulsory agreement.
	Records maintained by Communities and Local Government indicate that currently 120 local authorities in England have signed up to the concordat, equating to approximately 31 per cent. of councils. Estimates from research commissioned by the Department suggest that as at January 2006 around 63 per cent. of local authorities had either signed up to the Small Business Friendly Concordat or were planning to do so by the end of 2005-06. We continue through a range of means to encourage authorities to sign up to the concordat, for example, as part of a series of 10 roadshows around the English regions attended by both buyers and suppliers.
	The Department's research evaluation of the local Government procurement agenda primarily focuses on monitoring local authorities' achievements against the National Procurement Strategy for Local Government. The next output of our evaluation, expected to be published by early 2008, will assess progress in a number of areas of local Government procurement, including continuing progress with the concordat. Further research is under way through the Regional Centres of Excellence to analyse the external spend of local authorities, which may include an assessment of the proportion spent with SMEs.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Asylum and Immigration Tribunal

John Spellar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made on the appointment of new judges for the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The Lord Chancellor has made the appointments for the fee-paid competition to fill 210 posts in London and the regions, and results were despatched to applicants on 6 November 2006. Assignment of successful applicants to locations around the country has been delegated to the President of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. Induction training arrangements are in hand for those applicants offered appointment.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was paid in bonuses to civil servants in her Department in  (a) 2001-02 and  (b) 2002-03; and how many officials received bonuses in each year.

Harriet Harman: The total bonus paid to members of the senior civil service in DCA in  (a) the year 2001-02 was 100,730 and 39 officials received a bonus in that year.
	The total bonus paid to members of the senior civil service in DCA in  (b) the year 2002-03, was 170,557 and 43 officials received a bonus in that year.
	The total performance bonus paid to staff beneath the grade of senior civil service in  (a) the year 2001-02 was 263,700. 879 officials received a non-consolidated 300 bonus in that year. Non-consolidated special bonuses to the amount of 99,346 were paid to 333 officers in that year.
	The total performance bonus paid to staff beneath the grade of senior civil servant in  (b) the year 2002-03 was 429,450. 1,127 officials received a non-consolidated bonus of 350 in that year. Non-consolidated special bonuses to the amount of 82,701 were paid to 960 officers in that year.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what criteria a civil servant in her Department must fulfil  (a) to be considered for a bonus on top of their regular salary and  (b) to be awarded a bonus.

Harriet Harman: Members of the senior civil service within the Department receive non-consolidated cash payments known as a bonus in recognition of their performance in relation to achieving their agreed objectives or a short term personal contribution to wider organisational objective.
	Civil servants in non senior civil service grades may receive a bonus under two separate arrangements.
	Under the performance management system they are eligible to receive non-consolidated cash payments known as a performance bonus. Currently this is 400 although in 2001-02 it was 300 and 2002-03 it was 350.
	The criterion for a performance bonus is that a member of staff
	regularly achieved performance well above what was agreed in your performance and development plan
	Eligibility is set out in the guidance issued to line managers on performance management. Each year an individual staff member's performance is measured against a set of key responsibilities and job objectives appropriate to their particular grade.
	Under the recognition system, staff in these grades are also eligible to be nominated for a non-consolidated special bonus. These awards start at a value of 50 and are awarded in recognition of exceptional performance on specific tasks, i.e. performance above and beyond what could normally be expected of the individual in fulfilling their normal duties. Staff may be nominated for a special bonus either by their own line manager or by colleagues. Dependant on their terms and conditions, staff in the magistrates courts service who joined the Department by TUPE on the 1 April 2005 may be eligible, on criteria set at the discretion of their local Justices' Clerk or by their local terms and conditions, to receive an honaria.

Community Legal Service

John Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which 10 barristers received the highest fees for civil work from the Community Legal Service in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what amount was received in each case.

Vera Baird: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my Department's website where the latest available figures for 2004-05 have been published:
	http://www.dca.gov.uk/rights/dca/inforeleased/050914.htm
	Figures for 2005-06 are not yet ready for disclosure. However my Department will publish these on its website once they have been verified.

CORE Electoral Database

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the technical specifications of the CORE electoral registration database will allow for data matching with other databases in the future should legislation allow.

Bridget Prentice: The technical specifications for the CORE information system have not yet been developed. The specifications, when developed, will be based around business requirements that fit within current legislation and policy.
	However, the CORE information system is intended to be flexible enough to allow new functionality, such as data matching, to be added as legislation and policy allow in the future.

E-voting Pilots

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will place in the Library a copy of the procurement exercise notice to find providers for the e-voting pilots in the May 2007 local elections.

Bridget Prentice: The procurement exercise was conducted according to EU procurement procedures and the notice the hon. Member refers to is a public document. I will be happy to place a copy in the House Library.

E-voting Pilots

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the budget is for the e-voting pilots in the May 2007 local elections.

Bridget Prentice: The total DCA budget for funding the 2007 pilots is likely to be between 5 million and 10 million, depending on the number and content of pilots approved by the Secretary of State.

Information Commissioner

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many Section 50 Decision Notices the Information Commissioner has issued in response to complaints about the citing by the National Archives of Exemption 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to requests for the disclosure of extracts from the 1911 Census records.

Vera Baird: To date the Information Commissioner has issued no Decision Notices of the type described.

Ministerial Residences

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many staff from her Department are provided to assist the Lord Chancellor in holding functions at his official residence in Admiralty House.

Bridget Prentice: Staff from the Department assist with events. The number depends on the event.

Magistrates

Helen Jones: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many magistrates serving in Warrington come from  (a) Warrington, North,  (b) Warrington, South constituency and  (c) outside the borough.

Bridget Prentice: There are 89 magistrates in the Warrington Local Justice Area. 36 magistrates live in  (a) Warrington, North. 44 magistrates live in  (b) Warrington, South. Nine magistrates live  (c) outside the borough.
	Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace follow my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor's directions when making recommendations for appointment to the magistracy. This provides guidance that each Local Justice Area should broadly reflect the community it serves including geographical spread.

Parliamentary Boundaries

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  when the Government will publish a hard copy version of the Boundary Commission's recommendations on new parliamentary boundaries in England;
	(2)  when the Government plans to lay before Parliament the Orders to ratify the Boundary Commission's recommendations on new parliamentary boundaries in England.

Bridget Prentice: Under the provisions of the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, the formal copy of the Boundary Commission's report must be laid before Parliament at the same time as the draft Order to implement the new boundaries. The printing and publication process has been initiated with the Stationery Office, although I understand that due to the particular process involved in production of the map volumes of the report, it is likely to be February 2007 before we are in a position to lay the report and Order, and make hard copies of the report available.

Postal Votes

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the number of electors who registered for postal votes in each year's elections since the Representation of the People Act 2000 came into force, excluding elections with all-postal voting.

Bridget Prentice: I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer on 12 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1051W, for information about elections from 2001 to 2005. The Electoral Commission subsequently published on its website the report by Professors Railings and Thrasher from the University of Plymouth on the local elections 2006, which shows that for these elections, based on data from 161 out of 176 authorities, almost 14 per cent. of electors were registered for a postal vote.

Postal Votes

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Government plans to conduct further elections via all-postal voting.

Bridget Prentice: Under the Representation of the People Act 2000 my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs is obliged by law to consider any application from a local authority to pilot innovative voting methods and we will consider them on a case-by-case basis. We have no intention to amend the RPA 2000 in this respect.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Smoking

David Taylor: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what recent representations he has received on making the Commons estate a smoke-free environment.

Nick Harvey: The Administration Committee has recommended that the House should apply the smoke-free regulations by analogy. This would entail all work areas and enclosed spaces becoming smoke-free. The Commission accepts this recommendation in principle, and will decide on the detailed application when the regulations are available.

Dining Rooms

John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many hon. Members have booked more than three private dining room lunches or dinners in the last 12 months.

Nick Harvey: 71 Members of Parliament have booked the private dining rooms for lunch or dinner on more than three occasions in the in the last 12 months.

Parliamentary Estate (Security)

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission 
	(1)  how much has been spent on external consultants to advise on matters relating to the security of the parliamentary estate in each of the past three years;
	(2)  what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the September 2004 report on the Security of the Parliamentary Estate; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what contracts have been let to undertake work relating to the security of the parliamentary estate; and what the value of each of these contracts has been, for each of the past three years;
	(4)  how many contracts for work relating to the security of the parliamentary estate have been  (a) proceeded with and  (b) cancelled in the past three years.

Nick Harvey: It is not the policy of the Commission to comment on security matters.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Civil Service Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the rates of employer contributions to the Civil Service pension schemes are; and if she will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: Employer contribution rates for members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PSCPS) are assessed for each of four ranges of pay levels and are set at a level, which together with employee contributions, is intended to meet the costs of benefits accruing in the year. This approach is set out in Resource Accounts 2005-06 of Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation, a copy of which is available in the Library for the reference of members. The current employer contribution rates expressed as a percentage of pensionable pay are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Salary band  Rate of employer contribution as a percentage of pensionable pay 
			 18,500 and under 17.1 
			 18,501 to 38,000 19.5 
			 38,001 to 65,000 23.2 
			 65,001 and over 25.5 
		
	
	A higher rate, of 26.5 per cent. of pensionable pay, is payable by the Prison Service for prison officers employed before September 1987 and who are entitled to enhanced benefits.
	Most civil servants joining the Civil Service on or after 1 October 2002 can, as an alternative to joining the PCSPS, opt for a partnership pension account which is a stakeholder arrangement with an age-related employer contribution varying between 3 per cent. and 12.5 per cent. of pensionable pay. In addition, the employer will match individual contributions up to a maximum of 3 per cent. of pay.

Departmental Costs

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the combined cost of marketing and advertising was for the Cabinet Office in each year since 2004-05.

Hilary Armstrong: The combined cost of marketing and advertising in the Cabinet Office in 2004-05 and 2005-06 was 4,989,000 and 1,800,000 respectively.
	Costs incurred on marketing and advertising in 2006-07 will be available only when the Department's resource accounts are fully audited and laid before Parliament. This is expected to be before the 2007 summer recess.

Departmental Staff

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many full-time equivalent staff from the Cabinet Office provide assistance to the Deputy Prime Minister's Office.

Hilary Armstrong: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1624W.

Housing Conference

Andrew Selous: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether she will be attending the Regeneration and Housing Conference at the University of Bedfordshire at Putteridge Bury on 11 December in a ministerial capacity.

Hilary Armstrong: I will not be attending the Regeneration and Housing Conference on 11 December 2006.

Knowledge Network

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who the 20 customers are of the new version of the Knowledge Network.

Patrick McFadden: The application names and customers are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Application Name  Customer 
			 Briefing engine for sub-national statistics Regional Co-ordination Unit (reports to Department for Communities and Local Government) 
			 Cabinet committee papers Cabinet Office 
			 CCS cross-Government exercise database Cabinet Office 
			 Consumer direct online knowledge base Office of Fair Trading 
			 DCA communications and briefing system Department for Constitutional Affairs 
			 DfES briefing system Department for Education and Skills 
			 DWP briefing system Department for Work and Pensions 
			 Electronic library for Government Department of Health 
			 Forward look Cabinet Office 
			 Housing benefit data service Department for Work and Pensions 
			 Legal information online network 2 Treasury Solicitors 
			 Overseas market introduction service United Kingdom Trade and Investment 
			 Statisticians' community of practice Office for National Statistics 
			 World search Department for Work and Pensions 
			 Economic policy network Foreign and Commonwealth Office 
			 European Union policy Foreign and Commonwealth Office 
			 Science and technology network Foreign and Commonwealth Office 
			 Sustainable development network Foreign and Commonwealth Office 
			 e-PQ'sHome Office Home Office 
			 CircularsHome Office Home Office

Ministerial Residences

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many full-time equivalent staff from the Cabinet Office are provided to assist the Lord Chancellor in holding functions at his official residence in Admiralty House.

Hilary Armstrong: None.

Ministerial Residences

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if she will place in the Library a copy of the revised guidance recently provided by the Cabinet Secretary on council tax and official ministerial residences.

Hilary Armstrong: Guidance is provided on a case-by-case basis taking account of individual Ministers' circumstances. It would therefore not be appropriate to disclose such guidance.

Special Advisers/Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the cost of provision of mobile phones to special advisers in  (a) Downing street and  (b) the Cabinet Office has been in the last 12 months.

Hilary Armstrong: The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Special Advisers/Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many special advisers are employed by the  (a) Cabinet Office and  (b) Prime Minister's Office.

Hilary Armstrong: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24 July 2006,  Official Report, column 86WS.

Volunteering

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what role Rod Aldridge played in the GoldStar programme on volunteering.

Edward Miliband: Rod Aldridge is the chair of v, an independent charity launched in May 2006, which aims to inspire and engage one million new youth volunteers. He is not involved in the GoldStar volunteering and mentoring programme.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Disabled People (Benefit Services)

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to improve the provision of benefit services by his Department for people with disabilities.

Anne McGuire: The Department constantly strives to improve its service to all its customers, including disabled people. For instance an independent customer survey told us that 83 per cent. of the Disability and Carers Service customers are satisfied with the service they receive. However, to build on that excellent reputation, DCS commissioned a research programme to expand our understanding of our customers and their needs. By developing a programme of mystery shopping, we will identify services that can be improved.

Child Poverty

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on progress towards the Government's target to halve relative child poverty by 2010.

Jim Murphy: A decade ago the UK had the highest child poverty rates in the industrialised world. It has now fallen faster than anywhere in the EU.
	But we can go further and that is why we warmly welcome Lisa Harker's report on eradicating child poverty.

Carer's Allowance

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect of a higher minimum wage on recipients of carer's allowance.

Anne McGuire: The effect of the increase in the national minimum wage on recipients of carer's allowance will depend upon whether they are working and, if they are, their hours of work per week and whether they receive the national minimum wage.

State Pension

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to ensure that more women are entitled to the full state pension.

James Purnell: The Queen's Speech announced we would bring forward a Bill to provide for the long-term reform of pensions.
	It will set out the way we intend to implement the White Paper proposals which will ensure more women are entitled to better state pension outcomes.
	In particular, reducing the number of qualifying years needed for a full basic State Pension to 30 will increase the proportion of women reaching State Pension age in 2010 entitled to full basic State Pension to over 70 per cent., compared with around 30 per cent. today. Additionally it will include measures to allow more women to accrue better State Second Pension entitlement.

Child Support Agency

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the successor to the Child Support Agency to be operational.

James Plaskitt: Delivery of maintenance for children requires a fresh start. That is why we will create a new organisation to deliver this.
	We are in the process of undertaking detailed analysis to look at the shape and structure of the new organisation, and will publish details in a White Paper very shortly.
	Operational commencement requires us to be sure we have the design right and that all the necessary legislative changes are enacted.

Cold Weather Payments

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions at what level cold weather payments were in each year from 2002-03 to 2006-07; and how many people received cold weather payments in each of these years.

James Plaskitt: The level of a cold weather payment in each year from 2002-03 to 2006-07 was 8.50 for each period of seven consecutive days when the average temperature was recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below at the weather station linked to an eligible customer's postcode.
	The available information is given in the table.
	
		
			   Estimated number of people who received cold weather payments 
			 2002-03 1,350,000 
			 2003-04 280,000 
			 2004-05 170,000 
			 2005-06 610,000 
			 2006-07 0 so far 
			  Notes: 1. Some people received more than one cold weather payment in a financial year. Therefore the number of cold weather payments made each year was greater than the number of people who received them. 2. The first two sources allow estimates for each year of the number of people who received cold weather payments and the number of payments made. The comparison between the estimated and actual numbers of payments made has been used to refine the estimate of the number of people who received payments. 3. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10,000.  Sources: 1. Scans of the benefit systems taken at the end of October in each financial year giving the estimated numbers of qualifiers by weather station. (This excludes people on income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance who qualified because they had a disabled child aged five or over and who received support for that child via child tax credit.) 2. Lists of weather stations for which cold weather payments were actually made. 3. Monthly reports of the actual numbers of cold weather payments made.

Cold Weather Payments

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions from which weather stations measurements are taken for the purpose of assessing entitlement to cold weather payments.

James Plaskitt: The weather stations used to collect information in order to assess entitlement to cold weather payments are:
	Aberporth
	Albemarle
	Andrewsfield
	Aultbea
	Aviemore
	Bedford
	Bingley
	Bishopton
	Boltshope Park
	Boscombe Down
	Boulmer
	Braemar
	Brize Norton
	Capel Curig
	Cardinham (Bodmin)
	Carlisle
	Cassley
	Charlwood
	Chivenor
	Coleshill
	Crosby
	Culdrose
	Dundrennan
	Dunkeswell Aerodrome
	Dyce
	Edinburgh Gogarbank
	Eskdalemuir
	Flyingdales
	Great Malvern
	Heathrow
	Hersmonceux West End
	High Wycombe
	Hurn (Bournemouth Airport)
	Isle of Portland
	Kinloss
	Kirkwall
	Lake Vyrnwy
	Lerwick
	Leuchars
	Linton on Ouse
	Liscombe
	Loch Glascarnoch
	Loftus
	Lusa
	Lyneham
	Machrihanish
	Manston
	Marham
	Nottingham
	Pembrey Sands
	Plymouth
	Rhyl
	St. Athan
	St. Catherine's Point
	St. Mawgan
	Salsburgh
	Scilly St. Mary's
	Sennybridge
	Shawbury
	South Farnborough
	Stornoway Airport
	Thorney Island
	Tiree
	Tulloch Bridge
	Valley
	Waddington
	Walney Island
	Wattisham
	West Freugh
	Weybourne
	Wick Airport
	Wittering
	Woodford
	Yeovilton

Departmental IT Strategy

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the IT strategy of his Department and its agencies.

Anne McGuire: The Department's IT Strategy supports the successful delivery of the Government's welfare reform agenda. It allows the Department to modernise to produce better services, while achieving its efficiency challenge, by adopting industry standard products, rather than bespoke IT developments, and joining up information systems.

Information Prescription

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in which areas he expects trials of the information prescription to take place; how many people will be involved in the trials; what funding has been allocated for those trials; when he expects trials to begin; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	Information prescriptions pilots will take place initially in the areas of cancer, mental health and vulnerable older people. The number of people involved has not yet been determined. The initiative has funding of 1.35 million. The cancer pilots are being developed in partnership with Macmillan and Cancerbackup and are expected to begin in December 2006.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the occasions since he has held his present office when he has used  (a) rail services,  (b) the London Underground,  (c) tram or light railway services and  (d) buses in connection with his ministerial duties.

John Hutton: The information requested could be supplied only at disproportionate costs. Under the terms of the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, when travelling on official business Ministers are expected to make efficient and cost effective travel arrangements.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many national insurance deficiency notices have been distributed since  (a) 30 November 2005 and  (b) 25 May 2006; and how many of these have been sent to individuals who would reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 and who could potentially achieve at least 30 qualifying years without paying any class 3 national insurance contributions.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The total number of deficiency notices issued for the 2003-04 tax year since 30 November 2005 was 1.26 million. HMRC started issuing deficiency notices for the 2004-05 tax year in September 2006 and so far has issued 2.5 million. The deficiency notices issued since September 2006 include information on the proposed changes to qualifying years.
	Information on the numbers of individuals due to reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 who have paid class 3 national insurance contributions  (a) since 25 May 2006 and  (b) since 30 November 2005 is not readily available.

Pensions

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 20 November 2006,  Official Report, column 22W, on pension schemes, whether the reference to plans encompasses benefits already earned in private sector defined benefit pension schemes.

James Purnell: Yes.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library the advice about possible changes to the qualifying conditions for receipt of a full basic state pension that has been issued to individuals applying to pay class 3 national insurance contributions  (a) between 30 November 2005 and 25 May 2006 and  (b) since 26 May 2006.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	No specific guidance was provided to individuals applying to pay class 3 national insurance contributions between 30 November 2005 and 25 May 2006.
	Following publication of the White Paper, Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system on 25 May 2006, HM Revenue and Customs has issued letters to those applying to pay class 3 contributions informing them of the proposal to reduce to 30 the number of qualifying years needed for entitlement to a full basic state pension for people who will reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2010. Sample copies of the letters have been placed in the Library.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the average rate of private sector employer contribution into  (a) defined benefit pension schemes and  (b) defined contribution pension schemes in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: In 2005 the overall weighted average employer contribution rates for private sector occupational pension schemes, estimated across all schemes with 12 or more members, were 16.0 per cent. in defined benefit schemes and 6.3 per cent. in defined contribution schemes. Contribution rates to open schemes were 13.9 per cent. in defined benefit schemes and 6.0 per cent. in defined contribution schemes.
	Where private sector employers make contributions to stakeholder pensions or group personal pensions, estimated median employer contribution rates were 6 per cent. for stakeholder pensions and eight per cent for group personal pensions in 2005.

Post Office Card Accounts

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on the scheme to replace the Post Office card account in 2010; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: There have been a range of representations on this.
	We are holding regular and very constructive discussions with Post Office Ltd and other key stakeholders at both ministerial and official level, where we discuss wide ranging issues including accounts that can be assessed at post offices, both now and in the future. A further such meeting is taking place later today.
	My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, will make a statement about the future of the Post Office network, including the range of future accounts, before the end of the year.

Poverty

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of households in each UK constituency are  (a) from ethnic minority backgrounds,  (b) living in poverty and  (c) from ethnic minority backgrounds and living in poverty.

Jim Murphy: The figures are not available by UK constituency.
	Information on the percentage of people in Great Britain from each ethnic group living in low income households is available in the Households Below Average Income 2004-05 publication, table 3.5 on page 30. This is available in the House of Commons Library.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces Leave

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) highest and  (b) average amount was of leave not taken in the last leave year and not carried over in the (i) Army, (ii) Royal Navy and (iii) Royal Air Force.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is not held centrally. However, the Defence Analytical Services Agency undertake an annual Survey of Leave(1): The survey report includes estimates of the average number of leave days lost per person for each service. These estimates for the 2005-06 leave year are shown in the following table.
	(1) The survey includes all trained personnel from OR1 to OF6.
	
		
			  2005-06  Estimated average number of annual leave days not taken and not carried over 
			 Naval Service(1) 0.4 
			 Army 2.4 
			 RAF 1.1 
			 (1) Naval Service includes the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines 
		
	
	Because the Survey of Leave is a sample survey it cannot identify the highest value in the population as a whole. Moreover, the highest figures within the survey sample are not considered robust enough to report in isolation.
	The 2005-06 copy of the Survey of Leave report will be available in the Library of the House within the next four weeks.

Armed Forces Leave

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel in the  (a) Army,  (b) Royal Navy and  (c) Royal Air Force were not able to take all of their annual leave in the last leave year.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is not held centrally. The Defence Analytical Services Agency undertake an annual survey of leave which provides various survey estimates relating to annual leave taken, carried forward and lost. However, the survey does not distinguish between annual leave days personnel were not able to take from those they chose to carry forward into the next year.
	The 2005-06 copy of the survey of leave report will be available in the Library of the House within the next four weeks.

Armoured Vehicles

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors he took into account when deciding to purchase a combination of Cougar and Vector Pinzgauer armoured vehicles rather than one large batch of one type of vehicle.

Adam Ingram: These vehicles provide different capabilities. Vector is relatively light and agile and has high levels of terrain accessibility, particularly over rugged terrain. These factors make it particularly suited for long range patrols, which are a feature of operations in Afghanistan.
	The heavier Cougar vehicle, which will be known as Mastiff when in service with UK armed forces, provides higher levels of protection, but is larger and less agile over rugged terrain. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 6 November 2006,  Official Report, column 797W, which covered the factors considered in order to meet the requirement for a medium Protected Patrol Vehicle.
	Alongside other platforms, Vector and Mastiff will provide commanders with a range of vehicles of varying protection, mobility and profile, to be used according to operational circumstances.

Armoured Vehicles

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) Cougar and  (b) Vector Pinzgauer armoured vehicles are being purchased by his Department.

Adam Ingram: We are currently procuring around 100 Cougar vehicles, to be known as MASTIFF when in service with UK armed forces, and around 160 VECTOR vehicles.

Astute

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the unit production cost is of an Astute class ship submersible nuclear class.

Adam Ingram: The contract with BAE Systems is for the design and manufacture of three Astute Class submarines. The NAO's Major Project Report for 2006 reported an expected total cost of 3,656 million against a recosted approval of 2,578 million.

Bevin Boys

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent meetings he has had with the Bevin Boys Association to discuss the case for a medal for Bevin Boys; and when he expects to report on the outcome of his work examining the merits of such a medal.

Derek Twigg: My office has been in regular contact with the Vice President of the Bevin Boys Association since officials met him on 30 August 2006. I plan to meet him shortly. I am also consulting with interested ministerial colleagues and will make an announcement on this work in due course.

Cluster Munitions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with NATO allies on the continued employment of cluster munitions.

Adam Ingram: Ministry of Defence officials discussed the use of cluster munitions with some NATO allies this year. This has been useful in order to inform internal policy deliberations on cluster munitions, and to assist with determining our approach with international partners.

Conventional Weapons Review

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will bring forward measures to ban the use of cluster munitions as a response to the Convention on Conventional Weapons Review.

Adam Ingram: In response to a UK proposal at the recent Certain Conventional Weapons Review Conference we achieved consensus with the major users and producers of cluster munitions within the Certain Conventional Weapons Convention to urgently address their humanitarian impact. Cluster munitions are permitted under international humanitarian law and UK forces use them strictly in accordance with international humanitarian law. The UK plans to phase out and destroy so-called dumb cluster munitions by the middle of the next decade.

Darfur

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support the British Army is prepared to give to support the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force for Darfur in terms of  (a) personnel,  (b) equipment and  (c) logistical support.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 November 2006,  Official Report, column 118W.
	Currently, the British Army fill five posts. The Ministry of Defence keeps its contribution to both UNMIS and AMIS under constant review and will consider any requests for support, as they are received.

Diabetes

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what duties personnel diagnosed with  (a) type 1 and  (b) type 2 diabetes may undertake in each of the forces and their reserves.

Derek Twigg: Candidates having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes are considered unfit for entry into the armed forces. For those already serving in the armed forces, the first priority if diagnosed with either type of diabetes is always the full assessment, treatment and stabilization of their condition. All personnel suffering either type of diabetes mellitus should be referred to a Medical Board when a decision on their medical category(1) will be made. Each case is considered on its merits.
	Thereafter a decision is made on the continued employability of the person. Factors taken into account are:
	The illnessits severity, its stability, the required treatment
	The individualtheir wishes, their motivation and commitment
	Their service historyexperience, trade, specialization
	Their utility in a Service environment (once other factors have been considered)
	Guidance on the appropriate medical category for personnel with diabetes mellitus is contained in the Joint Service Publication JSP 346. This states that:
	Clear differentiation should be made between those personnel suffering from insulin dependent (Type I) or non-insulin dependent (Type II) diabetes mellitus, and the respective risk levels with military service. For this reason all cases should be graded P31 or P71 when first diagnosed while their disorder is assessed. Following assessment, they are graded as follows:
	a. Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Those suffering from NIDDM (i.e. asymptomatic glycosuria), controlled by diet or biguanide hypoglycaemic medication, with no other signs or risk factors present (e.g. a personal/family history of heart disease, stroke, other endocrine dysfunction, smoker, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, eye or renal disease etc.), and whose functional capacity is otherwise unaffected, may be graded P2(1). However, most in this category with anything other than asymptomatic glycosuria should be graded P3(1) or P7(1). This includes individuals on sulphonylurea hypoglycaemic medications which carry a risk of hypoglycaemia.
	b. Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Those with well controlled insulin dependent diabetes, with no other signs or risk factors present, and whose functional capacity is otherwise unaffected, may be graded P3(1,2) all others should be graded P7(1). 'Brittle' or poorly controlled diabetes which either degrades the functional capacity and, or is failing to respond satisfactorily to treatment, may require to be medically invalided (P8(1)).
	c. Special work problems and restrictions. For those with IDDM, if considered fit to continue work in the military. The following are recommended:
	1. Avoidance of physically high-energy demanding activities or emergency type work.
	2. Restricted aircrew, diving, seafaring duties etc.
	3. Vocational Group 2 drivers are subject to individual assessment by DVLA, but are unlikely to be considered fit.
	4. Shift work can be problematic; however, if sensible working practices are adopted, it is not absolutely contra-indicated.
	5. All should be afforded easy access to both nutritional and medical supportive facilities.
	In summary, the continued employment of personnel with diabetes mellitus is a complex issue that is determined on an individual basis. In practice, it is unusual for someone with type 1 diabetes to remain in the services. Those type 1 and type 2 diabetics who are retained will usually be in a reduced medical category with restrictions on their activities depending on the aforementioned factors. This can range from full duties on a ship where there is a medical officer on board or base areas only at the milder end of the disease spectrum to home only or no sea service at the more severe end.
	(1) Physical capacity (P) Definition
	0Medically unfit for duty and under medical care
	2Medically fit for unrestricted service worldwide
	3Medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations
	Limited operational deployability subject to individual assessment
	4Medically fit for duty within the limitations of pregnancy
	7Medically fit for duty with major employment limitations
	Medically unfit for operational deployment
	8Medically unfit for service
	(2) This is subject to individual circumstances and single services requirements.

Falklands Anniversary

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of the stakeholders being consulted about the commemorations planned for the 25(th) Anniversary of the Falklands conflict.

Derek Twigg: The list of stakeholders being consulted by the Department about the Falklands 25 commemorations is extensive and continues to grow. To date it has included:
	The Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations;
	South Atlantic Medal Association 82;
	HM Ship, regimental and squadron associations;
	Merchant Navy Association;
	Trustees of FI Memorial Chapel Pangbourne;
	Falklands Families Association;
	Buckingham Palace Staff and other Royal Households;
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office;
	Archbishop of Canterbury's Office;
	Baroness Thatcher's office;
	Falkland Islands Government;
	British Broadcast Corporation;
	Corporation of London;
	Metropolitan and City of London Police;
	Vulcan to the Sky project;
	Royal Parks;
	Civil Aviation Authority;
	Chamber of Shipping;
	Westminster City Council;
	Pangbourne College;
	Falklands Defence Force;

Falklands Anniversary

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that the whole House has ownership of the commemoration of the 25(th )Anniversary of the Falklands conflict, as urged by the then Under-Secretary of State in his answer on 26 June 2006,  Official Report, column 11; and which Opposition hon. Members have been consulted.

Derek Twigg: It is my intention to keep the House fully informed about our plans for the Falklands 25 commemorations and I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement of 16 November 2006,  Official Report, column 2WS; a further update will be provided to the House early next year. I hope that Members from all parties will apply, via the Speaker's Office, to participate in the event planned on Horse Guards Parade on 17 June 2007.
	I would be happy to meet with opposition defence spokesmen to discuss the commemorations in more detail if that would be helpful.

Far East Prisoners of War

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what correspondence his Department has sent to potential recipients of the Far East prisoners of war ex-gratia payment living in Australia; when the letters were sent; how many letters were sent; and how many responses were received.

Derek Twigg: We are aware of 1,964 claims under the Ex-Gratia Payment Scheme from former far east prisoners of war and civilian internees who have given an address in Australia and have corresponded with these as necessary to decide their claims. Following the implementation earlier this year of the rule extending eligibility to British internees with at least 20 years' residence in the UK between 1 January 1945 and 7 November 2000, the Veterans Agency have written to formerly rejected civilian claimants inviting them to provide further information to establish if they might now qualify for a payment. 271 of these had addresses in Australia. As at mid-November, responses had been received in 99 cases.

Flying Hours

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average number of flying hours for a RAF  (a) Hercules C-130,  (b) Nimrod MR2 and  (c) Harrier aircraft was in each of the last 12 months.

Adam Ingram: The average number of flying hours for RAF aircraft of the following type in each of the last 12 months is as follows:
	
		
			   Hercules C-130  Nimrod MR2  Harriers 
			 November 2005 86 55 24 
			 December 2005 73 45 17 
			 January 2006 86 58 26 
			 February 2006 81 56 21 
			 March 2006 56 47 22 
			 April 2006 57 41 18 
			 May 2006 70 67 21 
			 June 2006 78 59 23 
			 July 2006 81 47 18 
			 August 2006 93 53 18 
			 September 2006 89 44 26 
			 October 2006 67 60 23 
		
	
	Aircraft undergoing more in-depth maintenance activities such as long-term repairs or a major modification programme by joint RAF and civilian contract engineering teams on aircraft Main Operating Bases, or by civilian contractors in a specialist civilian industry repair facility/factory have not been included.

Harmony Guidelines

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units will be operating outside harmony guidelines as a result of the deployment to Iraq of Telic 9 and Telic 10; and what the average tour gap number is for each unit.

Adam Ingram: Three Mercian (One Stafford) is the only unit operating outside harmony guidelines, as a result of its deployment to Iraq on Telic 9, with an average tour interval of 12 months.(1)
	Details in respect of Telic 10 cannot be provided as the Force Package is yet to be confirmed.
	(1) A unit is defined as any Regiment deploying with a Regimental Headquarter and at least two 'manoeuvre' sub units. A deployment is considered to be a period of at least four months.

Health and Safety Summons

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 1st April 1999 each of the armed services has received summons under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence as part of the Crown cannot be prosecuted for breaches of health and safety law. However there are administrative arrangements in place by which the MOD can be censured in respect of offences which would otherwise have resulted in a prosecution. Since April 1999 there have been five such Crown Censures taken out in respect of the Royal Navy, four in respect of the Army, and one in respect of the Royal Air Force.

HMS Invincible

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the merits of disposing of HMS Invincible when it is decommissioned in 2010 to the Torbay unitary authority to create the northern arm of the Brixham harbour.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 23 November 2006
	When HMS Invincible is declared surplus to Royal Navy requirements, all disposal options will be considered.

Iraq

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what risk assessments had been carried out with regards to personnel transfers on the Shatt-al-Arab waterway prior to the fatal attack on 12 November.

Des Browne: Risk assessments and force protection reviews are carried out constantly, in line with current and evolving threats, into all forms of movement by Multi-National Division (South East). We take the threat to our forces very seriously and a range of measures are available to minimise risks. These include protection, provided through evolving tactics, techniques and procedures as well as physical means such as armour and other technical means. Commanders within theatre have a range of options available to them and choose the most appropriate for a given task.

Joint Service Publication

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of Joint Service Publication (JSP) 530 covering financial years 2000-01 to 2006-07.

Derek Twigg: Yes. I will provide copies of JSP 530 from financial years 2003-04 when the Chart of Accounts Manual was first introduced.

Music on Fire Event

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department received for the Army Benevolent Fund's use of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for the Music on Fire event in September.

Derek Twigg: The contract drawn up between the MOD and the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), for hosting the Music on Fire event at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 22, 23 and 24 September 2006, states that the charge will be either 15 per cent. of the net profit from the event or the direct costs to the MOD, whichever is the greater. An invoice has not been presented to the ABF, as their accounts for this event are still to be presented.
	Under Government Finance Accounting regulations, there are no special arrangements for the treatment of charities, whether service or other. The fact that a charity is to be the main beneficiary of a good or service is not sufficient justification to introduce a special charging regime or to set charges aside.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the armed forces final salary pension scheme was introduced; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Armed forces pensions can be traced back as far as 1831, although it was not until April 1975 when the Social Security Act 1973 changed legislation requiring pensions to be paid for those who did not serve a full career. The Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975, which incorporated this requirement to award preserved pensions, is a defined benefit scheme. Although not final salary, it is salary-related with pensions based on a representative rate of pay for the rank and length of service. This was closed to new entrants on 5 April 2005.
	The Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Act 2004 laid the ground for the introduction of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005 (AFPS 05) for new entrants to the regular armed forces on 6 April 2005. The opportunity was taken to introduce the Reserve Forces Pension Scheme (RFPS) for those who started or restarted full-time reserve service on or after 6 April 2005. The legislative vehicle for the RFPS is the Reserve Forces Act 1996. AFPS 05 and RFPS are the first true final salary schemes for the armed forces. For both of these schemes members who were already in service on 6 April 2005 and still in service on 6 April 2006 were given the opportunity to transfer to the new schemes with a common Member Transfer Date of 6 April 2006.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what  (a) rationale and  (b) criteria the number of years of completed service for eligibility for an immediately payable pension for (i) officers and (ii) other ranks were determined.

Derek Twigg: Under the rules of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) 75 an immediate pension (IP) for officers after 16 years from age 21 reflects the career pattern of this group who now usually join the services immediately after university. The IP provides an incentive for officers to remain in the armed forces for a period deemed appropriate by the services. It also allows the services to release a proportion of personnel at a young enough age to obtain further employment while retaining those with potential for promotion.
	The reason behind the IP point for other ranks is historical. Pensionable service for other ranks was from age 18. The 22 year point brought them up to age 40; the age at which the services deemed their health and fitness would begin to fall below the standard required. Even today, only those with potential to reach the rank of Warrant Officer are retained.
	AFPS 05 does not feature an IP. Instead payments are made under the Early Departure Payments (EDP) Scheme Order 2005. This is because the provisions of the Finance Act 2004 prevented the payment of pensions in the new scheme before age 50 except in cases of ill-health retirement. The EDP acts as an incentive to stay in the armed forces until at least age 40 with at least 18 years service, for officers and other ranks, and provides compensation for the fact that the armed forces cannot offer the majority a career until age 55.

PFI/PPP Contracts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many private finance initiative and public private partnership contracts with his Department and its agencies have been won by Halliburton or its subsidiaries in each year since 1997; what the terms were of each contract; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 4 April 2005,  Official Report, column 1114W. Since then the Ministry of Defence has let a third private finance initiative (PFI) contract and no public private partnership contracts with subsidiaries of Halliburton.
	In April 2006 a contract for project Allenby/Connaught was signed with Aspire Defence a consortium comprising the UK element of the Halliburton subsidiary KBR and Carillion. The contract is for the redevelopment of army facilities at Aldershot, Tidworth, Bulford, Warminster, Larkhill and Perham Down. It involves the rebuild, refurbishment, management and operation of facilities in the largest accommodation PFI project the Ministry of Defence has ever undertaken. Service delivery under the contract commenced on 10 July 2006. The 35-year PFI contract is worth, in whole life cost terms, approximately 8 billion (excluding VAT).

President of the Regiment Institute Shops

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the President of the Regiment Institute shops operate out of military bases in the UK; and how many are run by external commercial businesses.

Derek Twigg: There are approximately 350 PRI shops in the UK. Information about the management of each PRI is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

QinetiQ

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of QinetiQ's issued share capital is held by the Government; and whether there are plans to reduce this shareholding.

Adam Ingram: The Government hold approximately 19.2 per cent. of QinetiQ's issued share capital. Throughout the QinetiQ PPP process the Government always made it clear that ultimately it expects to sell its financial stake in the company. There are currently no plans to reduce the Government's shareholding but the Government keep its position under review.

QinetiQ

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage shareholding his Department has in QinetiQ.

Adam Ingram: The Department currently has a 19.2 per cent. shareholding in QinetiQ.

Research and Development Costs

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how much was spent prior to 2005-06 on  (a) research and development and  (b) construction of the (i) CVA, (ii) Type-45 and (iii) Astute programmes;
	(2)  how much was spent on  (a) research and development and  (b) construction of (i) ships, (ii) submarines and (iii) auxiliaries for the (A) Royal Navy and (B) Royal Fleet Auxiliary in each year from 1997-98 to 2005-06.

Adam Ingram: Officials will have to review archived data which will take time to collate. Once this work has been completed I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

RG31

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the indicative whole life costs of the RG31 which were received from the contractor as part of the assessment phase for the future command and liaison vehicle.

Adam Ingram: I am withholding the information on the indicative whole life costs of the RG31 as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests.

Royal Navy

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average working hours for personnel in the Royal Navy were in each year since 2001.

Derek Twigg: The results of recent surveys of working patterns, involving approximately 6,000 naval personnel, indicate that the average hours worked by royal naval personnel in each year since 2001 were:
	
		
			  Financial year  Average RN hours worked 
			 2001-02 52.8 
			 2002-03 50.8 
			 2003-04 51.0 
			 2004-05 49.9 
			 2005-06 51.4

Ship Sales

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capital receipts his Department received from the sale of HMS London and HMS Coventry to BAe; how much they were sold for to the Government of Romania; whether his Department benefited from a sell-on clause; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: HMS London and HMS Coventry were sold to Romania under a Government-to-Government agreement for a combined purchase price of 116 million. The agreement covered their purchase and regeneration under a back-to-back contract between MOD and BAE Systems. The purchase price for the vessels under this agreement was 100,000 each. This figure represented the scrap value of the hulls and reflects the fact that the ships had been decommissioned for some time and required major regeneration work.
	In total, the MOD received between 1.5 million and 2 million, including the 200,000 for the two hulls, the rest of the money being for the provision of services on a repayment basis.

Troop Transportation

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Chief of the General Staff on the efficiency of handling ground troops by RAF movement staff.

Adam Ingram: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with each of the Chiefs of Staff on a range of issues.

Type 45 Destroyers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Type 45 Destroyers he plans to purchase; what the planned in-service date is of each; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: In July 2004, my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State announced plans for a class of eight Type 45 Destroyers, of which six are now on contract. A decision has not yet been made on ordering the seventh and eighth ships but all factors will be taken into account, including the affordability of industry's proposals, value for money, and the wider implementation of the Maritime Industrial Strategy.
	The planned In Service Date (ISD) for the First of Class, Daring, is 2009. The remaining five ships on contract are planned to enter service at intervals over a four-year period following the First of Class ISD.

Unestablished Posts

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many positions are on the unestablished post database, broken down by  (a) service and  (b) army regiment.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 20 November 2006
	The Unestablished Post Database details those individuals carrying out military tasks detailed by the Chain of Command that are generally seasonal or for short periods of time. Information is gathered annually. The following table shows the latest available centrally held statistics which were gathered in January 2006 and therefore provide only a 'snap shot' in time.
	
		
			  Arm/Service  Unit  Number of Posts 
			 Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) Scots Dragoon Guards 5 
			  9/12 Lancers 3 
			  Queens Dragoon Guards 4 
			  Royal Dragoon Guards 9 
			  Queens Royal Hussars 4 
			  2 Royal Tank Regiment 1 
			
			 Royal Signals 1 Signal Brigade 2 
			  11 Signal Brigade 6 
			  7 Armoured Brigade and Signal Squadron 1 
			  19 Light Brigade 2 
			  20 Armoured Brigade 1 
			  2 Signal Regiment 1 
			  10 Signal Regiment 2 
			  14 Signal Regiment 10 
			  30 Signal Regiment 3 
			  204 Signal Squadron 1 
			
			 Infantry Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment 2 
			  1 Irish Guards 37 
			  1 Scots Guards 51 
			  1 Devon and Dorset Light Infantry 2 
			  1 Green Howards 30 
			  1 Kings 10 
			  1 Kings Own Border Regiment 30 
			  1 Queens Lancashire Regiment 21 
			  1 Royal Gloucester Berks and Wilts Light Infantry 18 
			  1 Royal Green Jackets 9 
			  1 Royal Regiment of Fusiliers 5 
			  1 Royal Scots 4 
			  1 Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters 21 
			  1 Para 34 
			  2 Para 30 
			  2 Royal Anglian Regiment 36 
			  1 Prince of Wales' Own 8 
			  2 Light Infantry 24 
			  4 Scots 16 
			  To be assigned 1 
			
			 Royal Artillery (RA) 1 Artillery Brigade 2 
			  12 Regiment RA 7 
			  16 Regiment RA 5 
			  26 Regiment RA 2 
			  3 Royal Horse Artillery 2 
			  32 Regiment RA 6 
			  39 Regiment RA 7 
			  5 Regiment RA 12 
			
			 Royal Engineers (RE) 21 Regiment RE 6 
			  22 Regiment RE 8 
			  23 Regiment RE (Air Assault) 8 
			  26 Regiment RE 6 
			  28 Regiment RE 3 
			  32 Regiment RE 6 
			  33 Regiment (EOD) 4 
			  35 Regiment RE 4 
			  36 Regiment RE 5 
			  38 Regiment RE 5 
			  39 Regiment 4 
			  8 Force Engineer Brigade 2 
			  64 Wks Group 2 
			  HQ 170 (Infra Sp) Engineer Group 2 
			
			 Army Air Corps (AAC) 3 Regiment AAC 1 
			  9 Regiment AAC 1 
			
			 Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) 102 Logistic Brigade 4 
			  104 Logistic Brigade 2 
			  1 Logistic Support Regt RLC 6 
			  2 Logistic Support Regt RLC 6 
			  3 Logistic Support Regt RLC 9 
			  7 Transport Regiment RLC 6 
			  8 Transport Regiment RLC 9 
			  6 Supply Regiment RLC 23 
			  9 Supply Regiment RLC 2 
			  10 Regiment RLC 4 
			  13 Air Assault Supply Regiment RLC 7 
			  23 Pioneer Regiment RLC 4 
			  27 Regiment RLC 8 
			  29 Regiment RLC 3 
			
			 Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) 1 Close Support Medical Regiment 5 
			  4 General Support 6 
			  Medical Regiment  
			  33 Field Hospital 1 
			  201 Field Hospital 1 
			  207 Field Hospital 1 
			
			 Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) 1 Battalion REME 3 
			  3 Battalion REME 1 
			  5 Battalion REME 1 
			  To be confirmed 8 
			 Total  674

Voluntary Outflow

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many voluntary outflow exits there were from the regular  (a) infantry,  (b) Royal Artillery,  (c) Royal Engineers,  (d) Royal Corps of Signals,  (e) Royal Armoured Corps,  (f) Household Cavalry and  (g) Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers in (i) each year since 1997 and (ii) each of the last 12 months.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 17 July 2006,  Official Report, column 216W and on 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1490W, for the number of voluntary outflow exits each year since 1997. The following table shows the number of voluntary outflow exits for each of the last 12 months.
	
		
			  Numbers of voluntary outflow (VO) of trained regular Army offices and soldiers from 1 September 2005 to 31 August 2006 
			  Arm/Service  Household Cavalry/Royal Armoured Corps  Royal Regiment of Artillery  Corps of Royal Engineers  Royal Corps of Signals  The Infantry  Corps of Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers  Total 
			  2005
			 September 50 40 80 30 140 40 390 
			 October 30 30 60 40 110 50 330 
			 November 40 40 60 40 120 40 320 
			 December 20 40 30 40 80 20 230 
			  2006
			 January 40 50 70 40 200 40 450 
			 February 20 30 30 40 150 30 310 
			 March 20 30 50 40 130 40 320 
			 April 30 40 60 40 160 40 360 
			 May 30 40 60 30 140 40 330 
			 June 30 40 40 40 160 30 340 
			 July 30 40 50 30 120 40 300 
			 August 20 40 60 50 130 30 330 
			  Notes: 1. The term premature voluntary release has been changed to voluntary outflow (VO), although the methodology remains the same. 2. VO is defined as all exits from trained personnel which are generated by the individual before their time expiry.  3. The figures are based on all voluntary outflow from the Trained strength of the UK Regular Army. 4. Figures exclude officers in the general staff (i.e. those with a rank of Colonel and above). 5. All data have been rounded to the nearest 10. Due to the rounding methods used, totals may not always equal the sum of the parts. Numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Winter Supplementary Estimates

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Winter Supplementary Estimates 2006-07 (HC2), if he will break down the  (a) current and  (b) revised request for resources one, two and three provision for each subhead by (i) direct resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL), (ii) indirect resource DEL and (iii) capital DEL.

Des Browne: The current and revised request for resources one, two and three provision for each sub head by  (a) direct resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL),  (b) indirect resource DEL and  (c) capital DEL (Net) are set out in tables 1 and 2.
	
		
			  Table 1: Composition of request for resources one, two and three in direct resource DEL and indirect resource DEL terms by TLB at winter supplementary estimates 2006-07 
			  000 
			  TLB  Estimate Type  Main Estimates  Winter Supps 
			  Fleet
			  Direct Resource DEL 2,101,506 2,138,670 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 2,096,868 84,096 
			  Total Resource DEL 4,198,374 2,222,766 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect -5,718 -5,718 
			  Total AME -5,718 -5,718 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total Fleet  4,192,656 2,217,048 
			 
			  General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland   
			  Direct Resource DEL 476,759 399,071 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 94,615 1,436 
			  Total Resource DEL 571,374 400,507 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 0 0 
			  Total AME 0 0 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland 571,374 400,507 
			
			  Commander in Chief Land Command   
			  Direct Resource DEL 4,358,352 4,302,643 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 1,360,226 20,320 
			  Total Resource DEL 5,718,578 4,322,963 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 0 0 
			  Total AME 0 0 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total Commander in Chief Land Command 5,718,578 4,322,963 
			
			  Air Officer Commanding In Chief RAF Strike Command   
			  Direct Resource DEL 1,865,712 1,924,143 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 1,864,028 122,231 
			  Total Resource DEL 3,729,740 2,046,374 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 0 0 
			  Total AME 0 0 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total Air Officer Commanding In Chief RAF Strike Command 3,729,740 2,046,374 
			
			  Chief of Joint Operations   
			  Direct Resource DEL 383,180 352,839 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 139,307 6,951 
			  Total Resource DEL 522,487 359,790 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect -4,000 -4,000 
			  Total AME -4,000 -4,000 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total Chief of Joint Operations  518,487 355,790 
			
			  Chief of Defence Logistics   
			  Direct Resource DEL 4,453,296 4,806,078 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 2,853,825 8,337,939 
			  Total Resource DEL 7,307,121 13,144,017 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 9,910 9,910 
			  Total AME 9,910 9,910 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total Chief of Defence Logistics 7,317,031 13,153,927 
			  
			  Adjutant General   
			  Direct Resource DEL 1,622,465 1,590,549 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 160,459 1,516 
			  Total Resource DEL 1,782,924 1,592,065 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 0 0 
			  Total AME 0 0 
			  Non Budget Direct 9,152 9,152 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 9,152 9,152 
			 Total Adjutant General 1,792,076 1,601,217 
			
			  Chief RAF Personnel and Training Command   
			  Direct Resource DEL 765,507 814,092 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 160,959 45,271 
			  Total Resource DEL 926,466 859,363 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 0 0 
			  Total AME 0 0 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total Chief RAF Personnel and Training Command 926,466 859,363 
			
			  Central   
			  Direct Resource DEL 2,098,460 2,083,419 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 1,219,381 111,459 
			  Total Resource DEL 3,317,841 2,194,878 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 2,360 2,360 
			  Total AME 2,360 2,360 
			  Non Budget Direct 578 578 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 578 578 
			 Total Central 3,320,779 2,197,816 
			 
			  Defence Estates
			  Direct Resource DEL 902,507 1,092,054 
			  Indirect Resource DEL -751 1,278,430 
			  Total Resource DEL 901,756 2,370,484 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 0 0 
			  Total AME 0 0 
			  Non Budget Direct 2,700 2,700 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 2,700 2,700 
			 Total Defence Estates  904,456 2,373,184 
			 
			  Defence Procurement Agency   
			  Direct Resource DEL 1,574,061 1,327,193 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 710,447 549,715 
			  Total Resource DEL 2,284,508 1,876,908 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 175,505 175,505 
			  Total AME 175,505 175,505 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total Defence Procurement Agency 2,460,013 2,052,413 
			 
			  Corporate Science and Technology   
			  Direct Resource DEL 538,452 529,778 
			  Indirect Resource DEL -4,252 -4,252 
			  Total Resource DEL 534,200 525,526 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 0 0 
			  Total AME 0 0 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total Corporate Science and Technology 534,200 525,526 
			 
			  Conflict Prevention RFR2   
			  Direct Resource DEL 47,326 1,087,326 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 0 0 
			  Total Resource DEL 47,326 1,087,326 
			  AME Direct 0 0 
			  AME Indirect 0 0 
			  Total AME 0 0 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total Conflict Prevention RFR2 47,326 1,087,326 
			 
			  War Pensions and Benefits RFR3   
			  Direct Resource DEL 0 0 
			  Indirect Resource DEL 0 0 
			  Total Resource DEL 0 0 
			  AME Direct -648 -643 
			  AME Indirect 1,030,599 1,038,304 
			  Total AME 1,029,951 1,037,661 
			  Non Budget Direct 0 0 
			  Non Budget Indirect 0 0 
			  Total Non Budget 0 0 
			 Total War Pensions and Benefits RFR3 1,029,951 1,037,661 
			 
			  MOD Total 33,063,133 34,231,115 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Composition of request for resources one, two and three in net capital DEL TLB at winter supplementary estimates 2006-07 
			  000 
			   Main Estimates  Winter Supps 
			  Net Capital DEL   
			 Fleet 33,101 20,768 
			 General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland 46,664 3,513 
			 Commander in Chief Land Command 176,762 92,637 
			 Air Officer Commanding In Chief RAF Strike Command 77,223 42,363 
			 Chief of Joint Operations 26,721 25,389 
			 Chief of Defence Logistics 1,027,274 1,512,616 
			 Adjutant General 16,274 8,968 
			 Chief RAF Personnel and Training Command 35,209 39,617 
			 Central 65,063 36,302 
			 Defence Estates 32,213 35,281 
			 Defence Procurement Agency 5,396,735 5,187,785 
			 Corporate Science and Technology 0 0 
			 Conflict Prevention RFR2 0 360,000 
			 War Pensions and Benefits RFR3 0 0 
			
			 MOD Total 6,933,239 7,365,239

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how much was paid in bonuses to civil servants in his Department in  (a) 2001-02 and  (b) 2002-03;
	(2)  how many civil servants in his Department received bonuses in  (a) 2001-02 and  (b) 2002-03.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department of Trade and Industry awards non-consolidated bonuses in two formats:
	1. Special bonuses for exceptional performance in particularly demanding tasks or situations. Staff in receipt of a special bonus may also receive an annual performance award.
	2. Annual performance awards paid to highly successful performers as part of the annual pay award.
	Based on the information available the number of staff receiving these awards and the amounts paid for 2001-02 and 2002-03 is provided in the following table.
	
		
			   2001-02  2002-03 
			  Special bonuses   
			 Number of staff receiving (1)n/a (1)n/a 
			 Total value () (1)n/a (1)n/a 
			
			  Performance awards   
			 Number of staff receiving 834 1,125 
			 Total value () 538,545 1,579,906 
			 (1) Figures for special bonuses paid in 2001-02 and 2002-03 can be made available only at disproportionate costs due to a change in the accounting computer system.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria a civil servant in his Department needs to fulfil  (a) to be considered for a bonus on top of their regular salary and  (b) to be awarded a bonus.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The DTI currently operates the two bonus schemes. One is for special Bonuses. The other is performance related and is dependent upon the achievement of objectives.
	 Special Bonus
	Special bonuses are a means of rewarding staff in any posts who have performed exceptionally well in particularly demanding tasks or situations. All staff are eligible for consideration for the award of a special bonus and these can be used to reward either individuals or teams. Responsibility for authorising an award lies with the relevant Director General or Chief Executive.
	 Performance-Related Bonus
	At the end of the reporting year each member of staff's performance is assessed against the objectives agreed at the start of the reporting period. It is the responsibility of the Line Manager in consultation with their Manager to assess the individual's performance using guidance. Standard setting meetings are held to ensure there is a common understanding of the standards of performance expected from individuals in each range. A combination of achievements against objectives and personal effectiveness is taken into consideration when assessing performance. All staff are eligible to be considered for a bonus but these are only awarded to staff who have fully met expectations, exceeded some objectives and/ or consistently performed well above expectation.

Burma (Exports)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the British exports to Burma were in each of the past five years; and what the value of the exports was in each year.

Ian McCartney: The Government have a long-standing policy of not encouraging British firms to trade with or invest in Burma. We offer no commercial services to companies wishing to trade with or invest in Burma. British companies who inquire about trade with Burma are informed of the grave political situation, the regime's atrocious record on human rights and the country's dire economic prospects.
	The data requested is contained in the following table:
	
		
			  UK exports of goods to Burma 2001-05 at two digit standard international trade classification (SITC) level 
			  000 
			  SITC  Description  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			  Total 9,452 7,345 5,001 2,164 9,964 
			
			 00 Live animals 4   6 5 
			 03 Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, etc (not marine mammals)3  
			 04 Cereals and cereal preparations 126 171 19   
			 05 Vegetables and fruit 1 
			 06 Sugar, sugar preparations and honey 4  1   
			 08 Feeding stuff for animals not incl. unmilled cereals 5 19  27 4 
			 09 Miscellaneous edible products and preparations 48 53 2  22 
			 11 Beverages 6 24 833 77 340 
			 12 Tobacco and tobacco manufactures   194 6  
			 23 Crude rubber (incl. synthetic and reclaimed) 1 
			 24 Cork and wood  56
			 26 Textile fibres  15
			 27 Crude fertilisers and crude minerals 21   4  
			 28 Metalliferous ores and metal scrap 4 27
			 29 Crude animal and vegetable materials 1 
			 33 Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials 41 50 18 23 22 
			 42 Fixed vegetable fats and oils; crude, refined or fractionated  3
			 43 Animal and vegetable oils and fats, processed, and waxes  4
			 51 Organic chemicals 63 44  3 15 
			 52 Inorganic chemicals  63 10 5 46 
			 53 Dyeing, tanning and colouring materials 48 26 5  10 
			 54 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 552 190 114 212 188 
			 55 Essential oils, perfume materials; toilet and cleansing preparations 458 350 254 201 140 
			 56 Fertilizers, other than those in 27 1  5 6  
			 57 Plastics in primary forms 111 36  27  
			 58 Plastics in non-primary forms 48 4   24 
			 59 Chemical materials and productsnes 98 844 27 71 63 
			 62 Rubber manufacturesnes 28517 
			 63 Cork and wood manufactures (excl. furniture) 1 
			 64 Paper, paperboard, and articles of paper pulp; etc. 63  1 4 2 
			 65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articlesnes 27 38 67 79 88 
			 66 Non-metallic mineral manufactures 72 36 52 86 110 
			 67 Iron and steel 147 
			 68 Non-ferrous metals 19 48  243  
			 69 Manufactures of metalnes 422 773 11 9 15 
			 71 Power generating machinery and equipment 3,567 3,198 2,734 362 1,038 
			 72 Specialised industrial machinery 252 133 113 15 7 
			 73 Metalworking machinery 3 65 15 11 10 
			 74 General industrial machinery and equipmentnes 209 130 85 56 150 
			 75 Office machines and ADP equipment 141 163 41 112 63 
			 76 Telecommunications, sound recording and reproducing apparatus 386 94 17 163 49 
			 77 Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, partsnes 1,147 234 118 78 28 
			 78 Road vehicles 90 35 9 1  
			 79 Other transport equipment 59 95 52 24 7,251 
			 81 Prefabricated buildings; fixtures and fittings1  
			 82 Furniture, bedding, mattresses, cushions and similar stuffed furnishing  17  1  
			 83 Travel goods, handbags and similar containers 3 
			 84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 58 44 5 15  
			 85 Footwear 16 
			 87 Professional, scientific and control instruments and apparatusnes 694 228 119 145 205 
			 88 Photographic apparatus, supplies and optical goods, watches and clocks 11 8 2 20 5 
			 89 Miscellaneous manufactured articlenes 134 17 52 34 28 
			 90 Low value and other goods not classified elsewhere 4 10 26 33 19 
			 nes = Not elsewhere specified.  Source: HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much funding was provided to citizens advice bureaux to support advice to tax credit claimants in each of the last four years.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 23 November 2006
	The funding is provided by HM Revenue and Customs. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by the Paymaster General on 17 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 1084-85W, to the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane).

Civil Service Relocation

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs in his Department have been relocated  (a) to Liverpool and  (b) elsewhere as a result of the Lyons Review; and on how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for the relocation of staff under this programme.

Jim Fitzpatrick: As a result of the Lyons Review:
	 (a) no jobs in the Department have been relocated to Liverpool;
	( b) at end September 2006 the Department had relocated 288.5 posts against an overall target of 685 posts to be relocated by 2010.
	The Department, its agencies and sponsored bodies have no large-scale operations to move out of the Greater South-East. The units to be relocated under the Lyons Review programme are relatively small (fewer than 150 posts). Given the small size of these units, it is expected that, from an operational and a financial viewpoint, the units will be relocated to existing regional accommodation. For the core Department this will build up DTI's presence in the regions in a way that provides the critical mass necessary to make for sustainability.

Coal Health Compensation Scheme

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many successful claims have been registered in post code areas  (a) LE1,  (b) LE2 and  (c) LE5 for (i) vibration white finger and (ii) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under the coal health compensation scheme.

Malcolm Wicks: The numbers of claims submitted and settled by payment in the areas listed are set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Respiratory disease  Vibration White Finger 
			  Claims  Submitted  Settled by payment  Submitted  Settled by payment 
			 LEI 8 7 2 1 
			 LE2 166 99 33 18 
			 LE5 95 57 13 11 
			 Total 269 163 48 30

Coal Health Compensation Scheme

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid to Vendside Limited for handling claims registered in post code areas  (a) LE1,  (b) LE2 and  (c) LE5 under the coal health compensation scheme.

Malcolm Wicks: Costs paid to Vendside Ltd. for handling coal health compensation claims in the areas listed are detailed in the following table:
	
		
			   LEI  LE2  LE5  Total 
			 Respiratory disease 1,737 12,745 1,737 16,219 
			 Vibration White Finger 1,234 705 1,464 3,403 
			 Hearing Loss No payment 4,498 615 5,113 
			 Total 2,971 17,948 3,816 24,735

Coal Health Compensation Scheme

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former miners have received a full and final payment of 500 or less for chronic bronchitis and emphysema in each of the last three years.

Malcolm Wicks: The numbers of miners who have received payments of less than 500 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the last three years are shown on the following table:
	
		
			   Number of claims settled by payment (where total value is less than 500) in period 
			 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004 7,060 
			 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005 7,426 
			 1 January 2006 to 31 October 2006 3,309 
			 Total 17,795

Community Interest Companies

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many community interest companies have been formally incorporated in the East Midlands region in the last 12 months.

Margaret Hodge: A total of 36 Community Interest Companies (CICs) have been formally incorporated in the East Midlands region since 1 November 2005.

Departmental Publications

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total design and printing cost was for his Department's publication Promoting Female Entrepreneurship.

Margaret Hodge: The total design and printing cost for producing 5,000 copies of Promoting Female Entrepreneurship booklet in March 2005 was 1,270. A reprint for a further 3,000 copies was undertaken in March 2006 at a cost of 855.

Departmental Staff

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many BP employees are on secondment to his Department; what areas they are working on; on what terms they are working; and how many BP employees have been on secondment to his Department in each year since January 2002.

Jim Fitzpatrick: We currently have two secondees from BP in DTI working in the Enterprise and Business Group. They will be subject to normal secondment contract rules.
	Our records show that from 2002 we have had eight secondees from BP as follows:
	
		
			  DTI Group  Commencement date  Completed date 
			 Enterprise and Business 2 January 2001 31 March 2004 
			 Enterprise and Business 10 January 2005 7 July 2006 
			 Energy 13 May 2002 12 September 2003 
			 Energy 1 May 2002 30 April 2004 
			 Fair Markets 24 April 2003 30 October 2003 
			 Fair Markets 4 October 2004 15 July 2005 
			 UK Trade and Investment 1 October 2001 31 December 2004 
			 Enterprise and Business 3 July 2006 3 July 2007

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which statistics have been put forward by his Department for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets his Department has produced in total in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The current list of National Statistics produced by the Department of Trade and Industry can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ns_ons/nsproducts/default.asp
	A list of changes to the scope of National Statistics (additions and withdrawals) in each of the last five years can be found in the relevant National Statistics annual report available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1051
	In addition to National Statistics, the Department of Trade and Industry publishes a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including data produced from the management and administration of the Department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term statistics sets and no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

DNA Sequestration

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which organisations have been asked to alert the Government if they become aware of any significant advances in DNA sequestration which may lead to major technological changes; and what arrangements are in place to contact the Government in this instance.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 22 November 2006
	The Royal Society, Biosciences Federation, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Medical Research Council, Nuffield Trust and Wellcome Trust have been asked to alert the Science Minister if they become aware of any step change in technologies which could make it much easier to construct or modify pathogenic organisms. The issue was also raised at a regular meeting of a regulatory advisory group comprising Government officials and representatives of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Enterprise Week

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent by the Small Business Service on publicising Enterprise Week in 2006.

Margaret Hodge: The Make Your Mark campaign run by Enterprise Insight is backed by grant funding from the Small Business Service.
	Enterprise Week, integral to the Make Your Mark campaign, was publicised by Enterprise Insight as part of its media and public relations strategy.
	Enterprise Insight estimate that 300,000 was spent on publicising Enterprise Week 2006, though confirmed final figures are not available so soon after the event.
	The Small Business Service incurred no further publicity expenditure relating to Enterprise Week.

Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made by the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in turning the existing bilateral agreements into a free trade area; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: In the Barcelona Declaration of 1995, the Euro-Mediterranean Partners agreed on the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area (FTA) by 2010. At bilateral level, every Mediterranean country involved in the EuroMed Partnership, except for Syria (pending Council decision on signature), has concluded and currently implements Association Agreements with the EU. These Association Agreements constitute the foundation on which free trade is developing in the Mediterranean region.
	One of the most visible results of the Barcelona Process to date is the liberalisation of trade in manufactured goods, for which the Mediterranean Partners now enjoy duty-free access to the EU market. The Mediterranean countries are progressively dismantling their tariffs on imports of EU industrial goods over a maximum period of 12 years. In addition, important progress has been achieved through the adoption of the new Pan-Euro-Med Rules of Origin allowing for diagonal cumulation, progress on trade facilitation, removal of non-tariff barriers, and greater transparency and predictability in the implementation of trade policy measures in the Mediterranean countries. Negotiations are currently under way in the areas of agriculture, services and investment, and to incorporate a dispute settlement mechanism into the Association Agreements between the EU and the Mediterranean partners.

European Communities (Pooling of Activity)

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is on future pooling of activity under the umbrella of the European Communities; and what proposals are under discussion for such an approach, further to his statement of 1 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 531-32W.

Malcolm Wicks: The UK supports the general aim of the European Polar Consortium to improve the co-ordination of polar research within Europe and internationally. The consortium has begun to identify common areas of research suitable for collaboration, such as climate change. However, it currently accepts that co-ordination of funding from different sources to support collaboration on research programmes is more appropriate than integration into a single funding stream.

Gas and Electricity Supplies

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for supply of  (a) gas and  (b) electricity were declined by each energy supplier in (i) each region of England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales in the last full year for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: Subject to certain exclusions, Condition 32 of the standard gas and electricity supply licences requires suppliers to offer terms at a domestic customer's request. In the event of a refusal to supply, a customer may complain to the statutory consumer body, Energywatch. If Energywatch cannot resolve the complaint, the industry regulator, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) may investigate. Ofgem does not collect data about refusal to supply.

Hazardous Substances

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department has  (a) undertaken,  (b) evaluated and  (c) commissioned to find viable alternatives for lead solders banned under the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department commissioned independent research on the health and environmental impact of lead and the other five substances restricted by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Regulations in August 2006. In addition, the European Commission has brought forward a number of exemptions from the RoHS Directive for the use of lead solder in specific applications where its elimination or substitution is not technically or scientifically practicable. These exemptions have been transposed into the UK regulations.

Hazardous Substances

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what  (a) resources and  (b) enforcement procedures are in place to prevent the import of goods from outside the European Union which do not comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Regulations; at which ports such procedures operate; and what forecast has been made of the percentage of relevant electrical equipment which will be checked.

Malcolm Wicks: The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No. 1463) contains full details of the enforcement powers that the National Weights and Measures Laboratorythe enforcement authority for these regulationsholds. Copies of the regulations have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	The Regulations apply to electrical and electrical equipment put on the market, so no distinction is made between the importers of such equipment into the EU and manufacturers within the EU. There is, therefore, no inspection system that will operate at UK ports or a mechanism in place to forecast the percentage of equipment that will be checked.

Hazardous Substances

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements for the European Commission in developing reference materials suitable for use in testing whether components are compliant with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (and, consequently, the UK Regulations) does not prescribe compliance procedures and testing methods to be applied. I understand from the European Commission, however, that the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements now has seven reference materials available for metal matrices certified for lead, cadmium and hexavalent chromium; two for ceramic matrices certified for cadmium and lead; and six for polymer matrices certified for cadmium, lead, mercury, bromine and hexavalent chromium. These reference materials have not been specifically certified for the RoHS Directive but can be used for such a purpose.

Hazardous Substances

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what mechanisms are in place to assess manufacturers' claims that they have been unable to source essential component parts that adhere to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Regulations; and whether any derogations are in place in respect of essential components not complying with the Regulations.

Malcolm Wicks: Article 5 of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive provides a mechanism by which the European Commission can bring forward exemptions for the specific use of the restricted substances in specific applications where their elimination or substitution by alternatives is not technically or scientifically practicable or where those alternatives have a greater environmental, health and/or safety impact.
	The European Commission has published 32 such agreed exemptions to date.

Internet Governance

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to hold regional and national conferences before the next Internet Governance Forum in Brazil in November 2007.

Margaret Hodge: DTI is not currently planning to hold regional or national conferences before the Internet Governance Forum in Brazil.
	The world summit on the Information Society in November 2005 agreed to hold the forum as a way to improve understanding of the international public policy issues associated with the internet through multi-stakeholder dialogue. DTI held an initial consultation meeting in January 2006, but we have been keen to encourage UK stakeholders to take the lead: we want to see a strong industry and civil society engagement in the process.
	This approach worked well for the first IGF meeting, with preparatory events organised by Nominet UK and the Oxford Internet Institute. The event 'The Parliament and the Internet: Workshop on Internet Governance' on 12 October which my hon. Friend organised also contributed to improving awareness and understanding of the issues. By working with key stakeholders we ensured strong UK involvement with good participation from the media, civil society and the internet industry in the UK.
	We propose to adopt a similar approach in preparation for the second meeting.

Internet Governance

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what agreement was reached on spam at the Internet Governance Forum in Athens.

Margaret Hodge: The Internet Governance Forum is not a negotiating forum, but a framework for sharing best practice and for promoting cooperation between stakeholders.
	It was used as a platform to launch the Stop Spam Alliance, bringing together the OECD, ITU, APEC, the Contact Network of Spam Authorities, and the London Action Plan. The alliance is a joint initiative to gather information and resources on combating spam and will provide easy internet access to information about the main international anti-spam initiatives.
	The alliance is one of the dynamic coalitions established by the IGF to continue discussion and cooperation in preparation for the 2007 meeting.

National Institute for Energy Technologies

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding is available to the National Institute for Energy Technologies; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Canning Town (Jim Fitzpatrick), to the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois) on 1 November 2006,  Official Report, column 529W.

Nuclear Fusion

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much funding his Department has provided for research into nuclear fusion in each year since 1995.

Malcolm Wicks: The funding for research into nuclear fusion from 1995-96 until 2005-06 is as follows.
	
		
			million 
			 1995-96 15.7 
			 1996-97 12.1 
			 1997-98 16.6 
			 1998-99 12.6 
			 1999-2000 14.3 
			 2000-01 17.0 
			 2001-02 14.4 
			 2002-03 14.8 
			 2003-04 15.9 
			 2004-05 22.7 
			 2005-06 20.6

Oligonucleotides

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which representatives attended a meeting in August 2006 to consider the feasibility and potential risks of viruses being created by joining together oligonucleotides.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 22 November 2006
	Representatives attended from all relevant Departments including the Department of Trade and Industry, the Home Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council were also represented.

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has a traffic light system in place for processing parliamentary questions, where questions are categorised using a colour code.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No. The Department aims to ensure that Members received a substantive response to their named day question on the named day and to answer ordinary written questions within a working week of them being tabled. This is not always possible but the Department makes every effort to achieve this.

Post Office

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices there are in Northern Ireland, broken down by category.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The question the hon. Member has asked relates to operational matters for which Post Office Limited (POL) is directly responsible.
	Information on the network of post office branches broken down by Government office region is produced by POL on a quarterly basis. The latest information on the network at the end of September shows a total of 540 post office branches in Northern Ireland, 160 branches are classified as urban and 380 branches are classified as rural.
	Information relating to post office branches can be found in the Libraries of the House.

Post Office

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost of post office closures under the urban reinvention programme.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Some 2,500 urban sub-post offices closed under Post Office Ltd.'s urban reinvention programme. The DTI has funded payments totalling 153 million for compensated closures under the programme.
	An additional element of the programme was the availability of investment grant funding for remaining offices. Almost 4,000 offices have received grants with over 23 million paid out.

Privatisations

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made with the sale of  (a) Westinghouse,  (b) the Tote and  (c) part of British Energy.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information is as follows.
	 Westinghouse
	The sale of Westinghouse was completed on 16 October.
	 The Tote
	The Government remain committed to selling the Tote and have been in discussions over the summer with Racing to determine whether it is likely to be able to make an offer that achieves policy objectives and safeguards value for money for the taxpayer. Other sale options will be considered if we are unable to sell the business to Racing.
	 British Energy
	We have stated that the Government are actively considering selling part of their interest in British Energy.

Retirement Age

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account he took of  (a) his Department's economic impact assessment and  (b) other academic and research studies commissioned by his Department and the Department for Work and Pensions when he made the decision on a mandatory retirement age.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to my answer given on 30 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 93-94W, and my answer of 22 November 2006,  Official Report, column 125W. During the course of the extensive consultative process on proposals for how the legislation should tackle mandatory retirement ages, and the formulation of the regulations, we considered and assessed the evidence available to us, including our assessment of the relative costs and benefits of the options identified in our partial regulatory impact assessments, as well as research commissioned by the Department for Trade and Industry and the Department for Work and Pensions. The Government's decision to provide for a default retirement age of 65 with a right for employees to request working longer best met the aims that we were seeking to achieve.

Science Base

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives he  (a) has taken and  (b) plans to take to enhance the science base in the UK economy.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014 and subsequent annual progress reports set out in detail the actions taken by the Government to enhance the science base in the UK economy, including measures to enhance the UK's world class research standing, increase knowledge transfer, improve its responsiveness to the needs of the economy, increase business engagement and ensure a strong supply of scientists, engineers and technologists. The Government have more than doubled the Science Budget from 1.3 billion in 1997 to 3.2 billion in 2006 to support their ambition to make the UK the first destination in the world for science and innovation.
	 (b) Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014: Next Steps published alongside Budget 2006 sets out the Government's proposals to continue to enhance the research base and includes plans to further develop the Technology Strategy Board as a business-led arm's-length body, extend research and development tax credits to companies with between 250 and 500 employees, provide a more coherent framework for health research and development and reforms to the Research Assessment Exercise.
	Copies of the Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014, Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014 Annual Reports 2005, 2006 and Next Steps are available in the House Library or from the DTI website at:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/science/science-funding/framework/page9306.html.

Secondments

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which staff in his Department are seconded from organisations with charitable status; and which have  (a) costs and  (b) salaries met (i) in part and (ii) in whole (A) from public funds and (B) by the charity from which they are seconded.

Jim Fitzpatrick: DTI does not have anyone on secondment from an organisation with charitable status.

Trading Standards Officers

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent on training trading standards officers in each of the last five years.

Ian McCartney: According to the most recent data available, local authorities in Great Britain will spend an estimated 2.06 million on training for their trading standards staff in 2006-07. This will include training towards professional qualifications as well as other, more generic, training courses.
	The data are held by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and this is the first year that they have reported specifically on local authority trading standards departments' training budgets. As a consequence, comparable data are not available for previous years.

WEEE Directive

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government will publish the results of its consultation on the recent waste electrical and electronic equipment directive.

Malcolm Wicks: A summary of responses together with the Government's response to the latest consultation on the implementation of the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive will be published in early December.

WEEE Directive

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place with the Local Government Association on the implementation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive; what guidance is being issued; what resources are to be allocated; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Since the Review of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive was announced in December 2005, the LGA has been consulted about the Government's implementation proposals on both an informal and formal basis. This summer, as part of the final consultation on the draft implementing regulations for the WEEE Directive, draft guidance was published. This is to be further revised in the light of consultation feedback. DTI will continue to work with local government representatives to ensure the successful implementation of the WEEE Directive in the UK.

WEEE Directive

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate his Department has made of the likely costs associated with recycling televisions and monitors containing cathode ray tubes following the introduction of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

Malcolm Wicks: Estimates of the costs of collecting, treating and recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment appeared in the partial regulatory impact assessment published as part of the consultation on draft WEEE regulations which ended on October 17. A final regulatory impact assessment will accompany the WEEE regulations when they are laid before the House in early December.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Crime Statistics

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes were recorded as committed on  (a) buses and  (b) trains in Essex in each of the last five years, broken down by type of crime.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not collected centrally in the recorded crime statistics.

Crime Statistics

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cautions were issued in the Cambridgeshire constabulary area for  (a) violence against the person,  (b) theft and handling stolen goods,  (c) sexual offences,  (d) criminal damage,  (e) robbery and  (f) fraud and forgery in 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 23 November 2006
	Data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform for the number of cautions, issued for  (a) violence against the person,  (b) theft and handling stolen goods,  (c) sexual offences,  (d) criminal damage,  (e) robbery and  (f) fraud and forgery in Cambridgeshire police force area in 2005 can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of persons cautioned for various offence types, in Cambridgeshire police force area, 2005( 1,2) 
			  Offence type  Number 
			 Violence against the person 1,049 
			 Sexual offences 32 
			 Burglary 79 
			 Robbery 6 
			 Theft and handling stolen goods 1,169 
			 Fraud and forgery 75 
			 Criminal damage 19 
			 Drug offences 427 
			 Other indictable offences 126 
			 Summary offences (excluding motoring) 1,003 
			 Total 3,985 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals have been determined by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel in each of the last five years; and what percentage of appeals was successful in each year.

Vera Baird: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table sets out, for each of the last five years, the number of appeals determined by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel (CICAP) and the success rate (measured by the appellant doing better than the review decision of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Authority that was appealed against). These statistics are published in CICAP's annual report and accounts, copies of which are placed in the Library.
	
		
			  Financial year  Appeals determined  Success rate (percentage) 
			 2001-02 4,650 45 
			 2002-03 3,940 40 
			 2003-04 4,079 46 
			 2004-05 3,983 47.4 
			 2005-06 3,482 46.8

Dispersal Orders

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dispersal orders have been issued in each police authority area since April.

Tony McNulty: These figures are not yet available.

Gun Crime

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number of gun crimes in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The Government are taking action on a number of fronts to deal with gun crime through tougher legislation, law enforcement and community engagement. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 introduced a minimum five year sentence for unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm. The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, which received royal assent on 8 November, toughens the legislation further. It includes a ban on the sale, manufacture and importation of realistic imitation firearms, a new offence of using someone to mind a weapon and additional restrictions on the sale and use of air weapons.
	We consider that working with communities is central to tackling gun crime.
	We are supporting community groups through our Connected Fund which was established in 2004 to provide grants to local community-led groups working on gun crime, knife crime and gang-related issues. To date the Fund has supported 300 organisations. We have also supported national projects such as the Don't Trigger Campaign run by Urban Concepts and Mothers Against Guns.
	The National Ballistics Intelligence Programme, a state-of-the-art firearms forensic capability which is being developed with Government backing, will provide tactical and strategic information to inform enforcement operations and longer-term policy work.
	The Government support the work of dedicated, intelligence-led gun crime operations such as Operation Trident in London and Operation X-Caliber in Greater Manchester, Ventara in the West Midlands and Stealth in Nottinghamshire, which are producing good results.

Identity Cards/Passports

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to issue identity cards to foreigners; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: We will start to issue biometric residence permits to foreign nationals in 2008.

Identity Cards/Passports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the First Section 37 Report to Parliament about the Likely Cost of the Identity Cards Scheme, which Government Departments his review has identified as holding existing assets and resources which might reduce delivery and cost risks associated with the identity cards project.

Joan Ryan: In December, the Government will be publishing plans for the introduction of the National Identity Scheme which will provide more detail on the contribution which existing assets could make to the delivery of the scheme.

Identity Cards/Passports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contracts his Department has signed with external organisations relating to  (a) the identity cards project and  (b) the National Identity Register in each of the last 24 months for which information is available.

Joan Ryan: The relevant contracts signed in the period requested can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  Contract number  Contract  Scope  Start date  End date (not including the extension)  Duration  Ability of extension  Legal 
			 H709C Cornwell Management Consultants Business Analysis related support 10 October 2006 9 October 2008 2 years 1 year + one year S-Cat 
			 U643C KPMG Financial Advisers 9 May 2006 8 May 2008 2 years 1 year S-Cat 
			 H714C KPMG Consultancy Services for Organisational Development 23 October 2006 31 December 2006 11 weeks n/a S-Cat 
			 H705C ASE Consulting Design Authority related support 26 September 2006 25 September 2008 2 years 1 year + one year S-Cat 
			 H707C Xansa Project and Programme Management Support 12 October 2006 11 October 2008 2 years 1 year + one year S-Cat 
			 H673C QinetiQ Supply of Traffic Network Assessment Services for National Identity Card Programme 5 June 2006 4 June 2008 2 years 2 years S-Cat

Identity Cards/Passports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions  (a) he and  (b) Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of the high street banks concerning the identity cards project; which representatives (i) he and (ii) other Ministers have met; and what the date was of each meeting.

Joan Ryan: My right hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, South (Mr. Clarke) met representatives of high street banks on 3 April 2006 to discuss a number of matters of mutual interest including the introduction of identity cards. The banks represented were RBS Group, Lloyds TSB Group, HBOS, Abbey, Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays and the British Bankers Association.

Identity Cards/Passports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to page nine of the First Section 37 Report to the Parliament About the Likely Costs of the ID Cards Scheme, what existing assets and resources the review identified as opportunities to reduce delivery and cost risks.

Joan Ryan: The review identified that there may be existing technical infrastructure and systems that could be used as the basis for reducing the delivery and cost risks associated with the identity card project.

Identity Cards/Passports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the Government's policy to issue an early variant identity card to UK citizens.

Joan Ryan: It is currently planned that the first identity cards for UK citizens will be issued from 2009.

Identity Cards/Passports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he defines, touched by identity fraud, as used in the First Section 37 Report to Parliament About the Likely Cost of the ID Cards Scheme; and how the calculation that one in five companies could be hit by identity fraud was made in that report.

Joan Ryan: The phrase touched by identity fraud refers to those who have been a victim of identity fraud or know someone who has been a victim.
	An economic survey amongst companies conducted in 2004 by RSM Robson Rhodes LLP showed 17 per cent. of companies reported having their identity stolen or hijacked in the past year.

Identity Cards/Passports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what distance identity cards produced under ISO standard 14443A can be read.

Joan Ryan: The international standards (ISO 14443A) do not set out the distances at which cards should be readable but rather set the minimum and maximum power of the magnetic and electric field strengths required to comply with the standards. These field strengths are such that data exchange is possible at a distance between the reader and the card of a few centimetres.

Identity Cards/Passports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will determine whether the number of a designated document under schedule 1, paragraph 4(1) of the Identity Cards Act 2006 should be held in the National Identity Register.

Joan Ryan: Paragraph 4(1)(1) of schedule 1 of the Identity Cards Act 2006 allows the recording of the number of any designated document which does not fall within any of the preceding sub-paragraphs of that schedule. The decision on which numbers are to be recorded is for the Secretary of State.

Identity Cards/Passports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what pieces of personal information the National Identity Register  (a) is intended to store and  (b) will have the capability of storing.

Joan Ryan: The information which may be recorded on the National Identity Register is set out in Section 3 and Schedule 1 of the Identity Cards Act 2006. The Register will be designed to store this information. Not every piece of information will be relevant to everyone who is enrolled on the Register.

Identity Cards/Passports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he expects British citizens to be charged for a change to their surname as a result of marriage under the proposed National Identity Card scheme.

Joan Ryan: With regard to changes of information which require a change of card, a schedule of fees has not yet been decided and will depend on the outcome of procurement processes related to the national identity scheme.
	The Government anticipate that changes to information on a person's record on the National Identity Register that would not require a change of card (e.g. address) would not incur a fee. This might apply if a person wished to add a married surname to his or her register entry as a name by which he or she is also known, but to retain his or her previous name as a principal name.

Identity Cards/Passports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timetable is for the publication of the schedule of fees for the National Identity Card scheme.

Joan Ryan: A schedule of fees for the National Identity Scheme cannot be finalised until contracts with suppliers connected to the operation of the scheme are signed. A precise time for this will not be available until negotiations with suppliers have commenced. However, secondary legislation must be brought before Parliament to determine a schedule of fees in advance of the launch of the National Identity Register.

Identity Cards/Passports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the number of individual authorised users of the National Identity Register there will be once it is fully operational and implemented.

Joan Ryan: Only a small number of strictly vetted persons will be authorised users able to manipulate information on the National Identity Register (NIR). Their use will be subject to strict auditing with alert functionality to detect unauthorised actions and no one individual would be permitted to create or delete an entry on the NIR. Until further design work with regard to the roles and responsibilities of staff members and their respective access controls is finalised, it is not possible to provide a precise figure of staff members who will be authorised users in this manner.
	Staff responsible for processing applications for enrolment and maintenance of information on the NIR will use application processing systems for their work. The work of those processing applications will also be subject to control and auditing systems in order to ensure the integrity of the system. Once appropriate security measures have been completed, information from these systems will be submitted to update NIR records. Until further design work and procurement negotiations are complete, it is not possible to give a precise figure with regard to how many staff members would conduct this work. However, as an indication, the Identity and Passport Service currently has approximately 2,100 employees whose work is primarily focused on processing passport applications.
	The National Identity Scheme intends to offer an identity verification service. This service does not provide access to the NIR but does allow for individuals to verify their identity with authorised users on the basis of information recorded in the NIR.

Identity Cards/Passports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of Government officials who will be permitted to enter data into the National Identity Register.

Joan Ryan: Only a small number of strictly vetted persons will be authorised users able to manipulate information on the National Identity Register (NIR). Their use will be subject to strict auditing with alert functionality to detect unauthorised actions and no one individual would be permitted to create or delete an entry on the NIR. Until further design work with regard to the roles and responsibilities of staff members and their respective access controls is finalised, it is not possible to provide a precise figure of staff members who will be authorised users in this manner.
	Staff responsible for processing applications for enrolment and maintenance of information on the NIR will use application processing systems for their work. The work of those processing applications will also be subject to control and auditing systems in order to ensure the integrity of the system. Once appropriate security measures have been completed, information from these systems will be submitted to update NIR records. Until further design work and procurement negotiations are complete, it is not possible to give a precise figure with regard to how many staff members would conduct this work. However, as an indication, the Identity and Passport Service currently has approximately 2,100 employees whose work is primarily focussed on processing passport applications.

Identity Cards/Passports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will have operational responsibility for the National Identity Register.

Joan Ryan: The Identity and Passport Service will have operational responsibility for the National Identity Register.

Identity Cards/Passports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the Government's policy to use a private finance initiative in the development of the National Identity Register.

Joan Ryan: The Identity and Passport Service is currently examining a number of options with regard to how it could work with the private sector to develop National Identity Register capabilities. No decision has been taken regarding whether this would involve a private finance initiative. It is the Government's policy that final decisions regarding the involvement of the private sector will be taken on the basis of which options represent the best value for money to the taxpayer.

Illegal Alcohol Sales

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licensed premises were closed down by  (a) police and  (b) local authorities for selling alcohol illegally in (i) Dudley, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office does not collect local or regional figures for the number of licensed premises that have been closed down by police and local authorities for selling alcohol illegally. Figures from the DCMS statistical bulletin on Liquor Licensing (2004) show that the total number of licences revoked, or not renewed, in England and Wales for the following years are:
	
		
			   Number 
			 1995 378 
			 1998 317 
			 2001 183 
			 2004 354

Illegal Alcohol Sales

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what penalties may be imposed in cases where licensed premises sell alcohol illegally.

Shaun Woodward: I have been asked to reply.
	Penalties which may currently be imposed on conviction for offences involving the unlawful sale or exposure for sale of alcohol under the Licensing Act 2003 are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Section of the 2003 Act and offence  Maximum sentence on summary conviction 
			  S136(1)  
			 (a) Carrying on a licensable activity on or from any premises otherwise than under and in accordance with an authorisation (includes unauthorised sales of alcohol); or (b) knowingly allowing a licensable activity to be so carried on. Imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding 20,000, or both. 
			  In the case of a personal licence holder, the court may also suspend that licence for a period not exceeding six months or order the forfeiture of that licence. 
			   
			  S137  
			 On any premises, exposing for sale by retail alcohol in circumstances where the sale by retail of that alcohol on those premises would be an unauthorised licensable activity. Imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding 20,000, or both. 
			  Alcohol and its containers may be declared forfeit by the court and destroyed or dealt with in such other manner as the court decides. In the case of a personal licence holder, the court may also suspend that licence for a period not exceeding six months or order the forfeiture of that licence. 
			   
			  S138  
			 Having possession of or under his control alcohol which he intends to sell by retail or supply in circumstances where that activity would be an unauthorised licensable activity. A fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale (currently 500). 
			  In the case of a personal licence holder, the court may also suspend that licence for a period not exceeding six months or order the forfeiture of that licence. 
			   
			  S141  
			 (a) Knowingly selling or attempting to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk; or (b) knowingly allowing alcohol to be sold to such a person. A fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently 1,000). 
			  In the case of a personal licence holder, the court may also suspend that licence for a period not exceeding six months or order the forfeiture of that licence. 
			   
			  S146(1)  
			 Selling alcohol to an individual aged under 18. A fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (currently 5,000). 
			  In the case of a personal licence holder, the court may also suspend that licence for a period not exceeding six months or order the forfeiture of that licence. 
			   
			  S146(3)  
			 Supplying alcohol on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of a club who is aged under 18; or to the order of a member of a club, to an individual who is aged under 18. A fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (currently 5,000). 
			  In the case of a personal licence holder, the court may also suspend that licence for a period not exceeding six months or order the forfeiture of that licence. 
			   
			  S147(1)  
			 Knowingly allowing the sale of alcohol on relevant premises to an individual aged under 18. A fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (currently 5,000). 
			  In the case of a personal licence holder, the court may also suspend that licence for a period not exceeding six months or order the forfeiture of that licence. 
			   
			  S147(3)  
			 Knowingly allowing alcohol to be supplied on relevant premises by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of a club who is aged under 18; or to the order of a member of a club, to an individual who is aged under 18. A fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (currently 5,000). 
			  In the case of a personal licence holder, the court may also suspend that licence for a period not exceeding six months or order the forfeiture of that licence. 
			   
			  S148(1)  
			 A person selling liqueur confectionery to an individual aged under 16; or supplying such confectionery, on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of a club who is aged under 16; or to the order of a member of a club, to an individual who is aged under 16. A fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale (currently 500). 
			  In the case of a personal licence holder, the court may also suspend that licence for a period not exceeding six months or order the forfeiture of that licence. 
			   
			  S148(3)  
			 Liqueur confectionery being supplied by a club or on its behalf to, or to the order of, a member of a club who is aged under 16; or to the order of a member of a club, to an individual who is aged under 16. A fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale (currently 500). 
			  In the case of a personal licence holder, the court may also suspend that licence for a period not exceeding six months or order the forfeiture of that licence. 
		
	
	In addition, under section 1 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, certain licensing offences included in the Licensing Act 2003 may be dealt with by the issue of a fixed penalty notice by the police. With regard to sales of alcohol, these include:
	
		
			  Section of the 2003 Act and offence  Penalty () 
			 S141 Sale of alcohol to a person who is drunk 80 
			 S146(1) and (3) Sale of alcohol to children under 18 80 
		
	
	When commenced, section 23 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38) will also create a new offence of selling alcohol to a person under 18 from licensed premises on three or more occasions within a three-month period. Liability will attach to the premises licence holder. The maximum penalty will be a fine of 10,000 and the court may, in addition, suspend the offender's premises licence for up to three months.

Illegal Alcohol Sales

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of underage drinkers in  (a) Dudley,  (b) the West Midlands and  (c) the UK.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office does not collect local or regional figures for the number of underage drinkers. Findings from the 2004 Offending, Crime and Justice survey revealed that 56 per cent. of 10 to 17- year-olds reported having had an alcoholic drink in the previous 12 months. This figure was highest among 16 to 17-year-olds (88 per cent.) and lowest among 10 to 13-year-olds (29 per cent.).

National Identity Scheme Commissioner

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the appointment process is for the proposed National Identity Scheme Commissioner; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: The process will be governed by the code of practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, which requires appointments to be made on merit through scrutiny of candidates by a panel including membership independent of the department making the appointment. The appointment will be made before the first ID card as defined by the Identity Cards Act 2006 issued.

Passport Interviews

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements the Government plans to make for residents of the islands of  (a) Tiree,  (b) Coll,  (c) Jura and  (d) Colonsay to attend the interview required for their first passport.

Joan Ryan: holding answer 20 November 2006
	There are no plans to establish permanent interview offices on these islands due to the low level of demandestimated at nine applicants per year in total. We plan to provide a video link-based service for such remote communities, but this must still be delivered from a limited number of sites to be cost-effective.
	An initial analysis has been undertaken to identify the most appropriate locations for remote interview sites throughout the UK, taking account of the cost to implement the solution and the number of first-time adult applicants anticipated for each area.
	This computer modelling initially identified Tobermory as the most appropriate location for residents on Coll and Tiree (as well as the Isle of Mull). Bowmore has been initially identified as the most appropriate location for residents on Jura and Colonsay (as well as Islay). However, we anticipate that some of these applicants would choose instead to attend their interview at the Oban or other mainland office in line with visits to the mainland for business or social purposes.
	A request was sent out via the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities representative at the Scottish Executive in October to all the relevant local councils, asking for their help in confirming whether the initial locations identified were the most appropriate. We are still awaiting a reply from Argyll and Bute council with their recommendation as to the best locations for our remote interview service within their area.
	We will be taking their advice and recommendations into account, and will be working closely with them to implement this service.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the  (a) present and  (b) future retirement age arrangements are for each public sector pension scheme for which his Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the current  (a) accrual rate and  (b) normal retirement age is for each public sector pension scheme for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Under the Police Pension Scheme 1987, to which most officers belong, there is no fixed retirement age for the police. Officers with at least 25 years' service may retire with an immediate pension from age 50. Officers may also retire with an immediate pension, irrespective of age, after 30 years' service, when they will have accrued maximum benefits. This means that an officer who joined at age 18frac12;the earliest age at which it is possible to start as a police officeris entitled to retire at age 48frac12; with a full pension. Otherwise officers become eligible to retire with an immediate pension from the age of 55, 57 or 60 depending on what their compulsory retirement age would have been for their rank and force before such ages were revised with effect from 1 October this year. Officers with less than 25 years' service who leave the police with deferred benefits will receive their pension at age 60.
	The accrual rate under the Police Pension Scheme 1987 is one sixtieth of final salary for each year during the first 20 years and two sixtieths for each of the next 10 years, providing a target pension of two thirds of final salary, if no lump sum is taken, after 30 years.
	Members of the Police Pension Scheme 2006, which applies to those who have joined the police service on or after 6 April this year, have a set pension age of 55 at or after which a serving officer can leave with an immediate pension irrespective of his or her length of service. Officers who leave the police service below the age of 55 with deferred benefits will receive their pension at age 65.
	The accrual rate under the Police Pension Scheme 2006 is one seventieth of final salary for each year providing a target pension of one half of final salary, plus a fixed lump sum of twice final salary, after 35 years.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate he has made of the  (a) rate and  (b) annual cost of employer contributions to each public sector pension scheme for which his Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The system for funding police pensions changed as of 1 April 2006. Under the new system, the cost of pensions in payment has been removed from police authorities' operating accounts. Police authorities now operate a separate pensions account for this purpose, into which are paid officers' contributions and a new employer's contribution. Any deficit is topped up with a grant from central Government; any surplus is recouped.
	The new employer's contribution, which is common to both old and new police pension schemes, is set at 24.6 per cent. of an officer's pensionable pay. In addition to this the police authority will pay into the pensions account a charge of twice the officer's average pensionable pay for any officer who retires early on ill-health grounds. We estimate the annual cost of employer contributions (not including ill-health retirement charges) at 1,095 million.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his most recent estimate is of the unfunded liability, in present value terms, of each public sector pension scheme for which his Department is responsible; and on what assumptions of  (a) discount rate and  (b) longevity the estimate is based.

Tony McNulty: The latest available information is in the note on unfunded liabilities placed in Library by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 2 March 2006, which gives a combined figure for the police and fire service pension schemes of 85 billion.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the potential for savings to his Department of the reforms to public sector pensions agreed with trades unions in 2005 for each year between 2006-07 and 2050-51; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: It is not possible to provide an exact estimate at this point as the full savings will only be realised once all police officers are in the New Police Pension Scheme introduced in 2006, which will take in the region of 30 years. The estimated savings from the new scheme after 30 years on the basis of today's costs will be approximately 300 million per annum in England and Wales.

Police

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) actual and  (b) percentage increase was in the police precept for each police authority area in each of the last 10 years; and what the actual and percentage increase in the police precept was in each area over the 10 year period ranked in descending order of percentage increase.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 20 November 2006
	The information is set out in tables, which have been placed in the Library.

Police

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers per 1,000 of the population there are in each police force in England.

John Reid: Table 4 within the Police Service Strength bulletin for 31 March 2006 (Home Office Statistical Bulletin13/06) contains the most recent information per 100,000 of the population and these data are also given in the tables. The most recent Police Service Strength bulletin can be downloaded from:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs06/hosb1306.pdf

Police

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the police precepts were for police authorities in England and Wales in each of the last five years listed in descending order.

Tony McNulty: The information is set out in the tables.
	
		
			  Police precepts (Band D) on council tax by police authority in descending order 2002-03 to 2006-07 2002-03 
			  2002-03 
			  Force  Precept (Band D) 
			 Metropolitan 130.59 
			 Northamptonshire 105.25 
			 West Mercia 104.50 
			 Dorset 103.50 
			 Warwickshire 101.78 
			 Staffordshire 100.93 
			 Cumbria 100.48 
			 Norfolk 100.35 
			 Dyfed-Powys 98.10 
			 North Wales 96.53 
			 Surrey 96.44 
			 Cleveland 96.13 
			 Humberside 95.40 
			 Leicestershire 95.21 
			 Gwent 95.17 
			 Lincolnshire 94.86 
			 Merseyside 94.76 
			 Cambridgeshire 94.59 
			 Gloucestershire 94.01 
			 Derbyshire 91.96 
			 Wiltshire 91.54 
			 South Wales 89.85 
			 North Yorkshire 88.59 
			 Nottinghamshire 85.17 
			 Avon and Somerset 83.40 
			 Suffolk 82.08 
			 Hertfordshire 81.01 
			 Bedfordshire 78.69 
			 Essex 77.67 
			 West Yorkshire 75.92 
			 Hampshire 75.15 
			 South Yorkshire 74.09 
			 Lancashire 73.86 
			 Devon and Cornwall 73.80 
			 Kent 73.64 
			 Cheshire 73.54 
			 Thames Valley 73.49 
			 Sussex 69.84 
			 Greater Manchester 68.86 
			 Durham 64.44 
			 West Midlands 61.88 
			 Northumbria 58.15 
		
	
	
		
			  2003-04 
			  Force  Precept (Band D) 
			 Metropolitan 159.13 
			 North Yorkshire 156.00 
			 Gloucestershire 142.59 
			 Surrey 135.09 
			 Cumbria 130.71 
			 Northamptonshire 130.09 
			 North Wales 126.94 
			 Staffordshire 126.50 
			 Dyfed-Powys 124.11 
			 Dorset 123.39 
			 Norfolk 121.95 
			 Cleveland 120.22 
			 West Mercia 119.80 
			 Gwent 119.11 
			 Warwickshire 117.30 
			 Cambridgeshire 113.31 
			 Humberside 113.04 
			 Derbyshire 111.77 
			 Avon and Somerset 111.64 
			 Wiltshire 109.68 
			 Suffolk 109.35 
			 Nottinghamshire 109.30 
			 Thames Valley 106.24 
			 Leicestershire 104.77 
			 Lincolnshire 104.40 
			 South Wales 103.51 
			 Devon and Cornwall 103.27 
			 Merseyside 101.54 
			 Hertfordshire 98.28 
			 Sussex 97.74 
			 Hampshire 97.29 
			 Kent 94.95 
			 South Yorkshire 94.30 
			 Bedfordshire 93.44 
			 Essex 92.97 
			 Greater Manchester 91.65 
			 West Yorkshire 88.81 
			 Cheshire 88.10 
			 Lancashire 87.57 
			 Durham 79.56 
			 West Midlands 71.16 
			 Northumbria 63.80 
		
	
	
		
			  2004-05 
			  Force  Precept (Band D) 
			 Metropolitan 184.08 
			 North Yorkshire 171.50 
			 Gloucestershire 156.71 
			 North Wales 151.57 
			 Cumbria 150.28 
			 Northamptonshire 149.43 
			 Surrey 147.06 
			 Dyfed-Powys 142.65 
			 Gwent 139.13 
			 Norfolk 138.69 
			 Staffordshire 138.44 
			 West Mercia 137.69 
			 Cleveland 136.84 
			 Dorset 135.36 
			 Humberside 129.96 
			 Cambridgeshire 129.33 
			 Warwickshire 126.55 
			 Avon and Somerset 125.09 
			 Derbyshire 122.88 
			 Wiltshire 120.63 
			 Thames Valley 120.51 
			 Nottinghamshire 120.12 
			 Leicestershire 120.11 
			 Suffolk 119.70 
			 South Wales 115.71 
			 Devon and Cornwall 113.39 
			 Hertfordshire 112.53 
			 Lincolnshire 112.23 
			 Merseyside 110.17 
			 Hampshire 108.36 
			 Bedfordshire 107.17 
			 Kent 105.66 
			 Sussex 105.12 
			 South Yorkshire 102.79 
			 West Yorkshire 102.06 
			 Lancashire 100.70 
			 Essex 99.27 
			 Greater Manchester 98.52 
			 Cheshire 97.71 
			 Durham 91.53 
			 West Midlands 80.08 
			 Northumbria 66.93 
		
	
	
		
			  2005-06 
			  Force  Precept (Band D) 
			 Metropolitan 196.28 
			 North Yorkshire 176.00 
			 Gloucestershire 162.90 
			 North Wales 158.94 
			 Cumbria 155.43 
			 Northamptonshire 154.41 
			 Surrey 154.26 
			 Norfolk 145.53 
			 Staffordshire 145.28 
			 Gwent 145.07 
			 Cleveland 143.68 
			 West Mercia 143.17 
			 Dyfed-Powys 143.10 
			 Dorset 142.11 
			 Humberside 135.72 
			 Cambridgeshire 135.54 
			 Warwickshire 132.52 
			 Avon and Somerset 131.34 
			 Derbyshire 129.02 
			 Wiltshire 126.63 
			 Thames Valley 126.28 
			 Leicestershire 126.04 
			 Nottinghamshire 126.01 
			 Suffolk 125.01 
			 South Wales 120.40 
			 Devon and Cornwall 119.62 
			 Lincolnshire 119.43 
			 Hertfordshire 118.09 
			 Merseyside 115.68 
			 Hampshire 113.76 
			 Bedfordshire 111.98 
			 Kent 110.88 
			 Sussex 110.25 
			 South Yorkshire 107.88 
			 Lancashire 107.72 
			 West Yorkshire 107.05 
			 Greater Manchester 105.41 
			 Essex 104.76 
			 Cheshire 102.60 
			 Durham 96.03 
			 West Midlands 83.68 
			 Northumbria 70.03 
		
	
	
		
			  2006-07 
			  Force  Precept (Band D) 
			 Metropolitan 210.82 
			 North Yorkshire 180.00 
			 Gloucestershire 170.96 
			 North Wales 166.89 
			 Surrey 163.26 
			 Cumbria 163.08 
			 Northamptonshire 162.11 
			 Norfolk 154.17 
			 Staffordshire 152.53 
			 Gwent 152.32 
			 Cleveland 150.72 
			 West Mercia 150.24 
			 Dyfed-Powys 150.21 
			 Dorset 149.13 
			 Humberside 142.47 
			 Cambridgeshire 142.29 
			 Warwickshire 138.95 
			 Avon and Somerset 137.84 
			 Derbyshire 135.15 
			 Wiltshire 132.84 
			 Thames Valley 132.58 
			 Leicestershire 132.33 
			 Nottinghamshire 132.24 
			 Suffolk 130.86 
			 South Wales 126.42 
			 Devon and Cornwall 125.53 
			 Lincolnshire 125.37 
			 Hertfordshire 123.98 
			 Merseyside 121.46 
			 Hampshire 119.43 
			 Bedfordshire 117.55 
			 Kent 116.37 
			 Sussex 115.74 
			 South Yorkshire 113.27 
			 Lancashire 113.09 
			 West Yorkshire 112.40 
			 Essex 110.97 
			 Greater Manchester 110.67 
			 Cheshire 108.49 
			 Durham 100.80 
			 West Midlands 87.55 
			 Northumbria 71.78 
			  Source: DCLG (English Police Authorities). Welsh Assembly Government (Welsh Police Authorities).

Police

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the  (a) total number of police officers and  (b) number of police officers on the streets and in neighbourhood teams in (i) Gloucestershire and (ii) England in (A) 1997 and (B) 2006.

Tony McNulty: The available data for the total number of police officers in Gloucestershire and England are given in the tables. The closest available data to cover officers on the streets and in neighbourhood teams are in terms of officers primarily employed within the function foot/car/beat patrol. These data for Gloucestershire and England are also given in the tables.
	
		
			  Police officer strength in Gloucestershire as at 31 March 1997 and 31 March 2006 (FTE)( 1) 
			   1997  2006 
			 Foot/Car/Beat Patrol(2) (4)n/a 456 
			 Total strength(3) 1,133 1,303 
			 (1) Full-Time Equivalent figures rounded to the nearest whole number. This figure includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. (2) Staff with multiple responsibilities (or designations) are recorded under their primary role or function. The deployment of police officers is an operational matter for individual Chief Constables. (3) Overall force totals including those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. The data in the function breakdown is from unpublished sources and therefore totals may not match totals found in the published data. (4) Data for 1996-97 are not available. 
		
	
	
		
			  Police officer strength in England as at 31 March 1997 and 31 March 2006 (FTE)( 1) 
			   1997  2006 
			 Foot/Car/Beat Patrol(2) (4)n/a 55,291 
			 Total strength(3) 118,453 133,925 
			 (1.)Full-Time Equivalent figures rounded to the nearest whole number. This figure includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. (2) Staff with multiple responsibilities (or designations) are recorded under their primary role or function. The deployment of police officers is an operational matter for individual Chief Constables. (3) Overall force totals including those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. The data in the function breakdown is from unpublished sources and therefore totals may not match totals found in the published data. (4) Data for 1996-97 are not available.

Prisons

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances police cells in West Yorkshire would be used to house prisoners to relieve prison overcrowding.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In the event of increasing prisoner population pressures in the West Yorkshire area, West Yorkshire police would be asked whether accommodation was available for use under Operation Safeguard to relieve prison overcrowding.

Prisons

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many investigations into officers' conduct were undertaken at  (a) HMP Wymott and  (b) HMP Garth in each of the last three years;
	(2)  what the average number of investigations into prison officers' conduct per prison in England and Wales was in each of the last three years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The average number of investigations registered into the conduct of officers, which include Senior Officer and Principal Officer, for all prisons in England and Wales is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  The average number of investigations registered into the conduct of officers 
			  As at 17 November to 16 November each year:  Wymott  Garth  Average England and Wales( 1) 
			 2003-04 13 3 12 
			 2004-05 12 4 12 
			 2005-06 9 8 10 
			 (1 )To nearest whole number

Prisons

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effects of the work-life balance arrangements for prison officers.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Prison Service has had a work-life balance policy in place since April 2003. This policy is open to all staff regardless of grade or rank, their working location or their status as parents.
	This policy has not been assessed since its implementation, although the Prison Service staff survey tracks perceptions about work-life balance issues.

Prisons

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many allegations against prison staff have been made by prisoners since the offence of making a false and malicious allegation was abolished; and how many such allegations have been upheld in this period.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Details on allegations against staff by prisoners are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Rape Claims

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what strategy he has for dealing with false rape claims.

Vernon Coaker: Allegations of rape are a matter for the police to investigate in accordance with their internal guidance. Each case must be treated on its own individual merits and investigated thoroughly. It is then for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to decide whether or not to charge and then prosecute if the case fulfils both the evidential and public interest test as set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
	There is no evidence to suggest that rates of false allegations for rape are especially high, but where there is evidence that a complaint is false, the police and CPS should consider whether the person who made the allegation should be charged with wasting police time or perverting the course of justice.

Road Safety

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were made of drivers using mobile phones while driving in the most recent period for which figures are available, broken down by police authority area.

Tony McNulty: Available information taken from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform for the year 2004 (latest available) is given in the table. As the majority of 'use of hand-held mobile phone while driving' offences are dealt with by the issue of a fixed penalty notice these are also included.
	2005 data will be available in 2007.
	
		
			  Fixed penalty notices issued and total court proceedings for the offence of use of hand-held mobile phone while driving( 1)  by police force area, England and Wales, 2004 
			  Number of offences 
			  Police force area  Fixed penalty notices issued  Total court proceedings( 2)  Total dealt with 
			 Avon and Somerset 1,902 19 1,921 
			 Bedfordshire 579 5 584 
			 Cambridgeshire 219 7 226 
			 Cheshire 2,689 2 2,691 
			 Cleveland 1,066 4 1,070 
			 Cumbria 528 24 552 
			 Derbyshire 978 17 995 
			 Devon and Cornwall 796 19 815 
			 Dorset 521 (3) 521 
			 Durham 504 1 505 
			 Essex 2,431 28 2,459 
			 Gloucestershire 632 1 633 
			 Greater Manchester 8,166 73 8,239 
			 Hampshire 2,032 18 2,050 
			 Hertfordshire 2,526 6 2,532 
			 Humberside 381 4 385 
			 Kent 1,707 (3) 1,707 
			 Lancashire 1,719 17 1,736 
			 Leicestershire 759 12 771 
			 Lincolnshire 1,529 9 1,538 
			 London, City of 137 7 144 
			 Merseyside 1,836 22 1,858 
			 Metropolitan Police 13,581 203 13,784 
			 Norfolk 887 20 907 
			 Northamptonshire 297 (3) 297 
			 Northumbria 1,271 32 1,303 
			 North Yorkshire 720 18 738 
			 Nottinghamshire 653 8 661 
			 South Yorkshire 1,978 12 1,990 
			 Staffordshire 264 11 275 
			 Suffolk 978 7 985 
			 Surrey 2,213 9 2,222 
			 Sussex 546 1 547 
			 Thames Valley 3,716 24 3,740 
			 Warwickshire 621 7 628 
			 West Mercia 2,200 17 2,217 
			 West Midlands 3,864 61 3,925 
			 West Yorkshire 2,368 11 2,379 
			 Wiltshire 700 21 721 
			 Dyfed Powys 363 13 376 
			 Gwent 517 (3) 517 
			 North Wales 999 3 1,002 
			 South Wales 1,603 16 1,619 
			 England and Wales 73,976 789 74,765 
			 (1) Offences under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, Regulations 110 (1), 110 (2) and 110 (3). (2) Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court. (3) Nil prosecutions.  Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Road Safety

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hit and run incidents led to an individual being convicted in each police force area in each of the last eight years.

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hit and run incidents have led to an individual being convicted in each of the last eight years, broken down by police force area.

Tony McNulty: Information on the number of hit and run incidents that have led to court proceedings is not collected centrally.
	Available information taken from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform and given in the table shows the number of offenders found guilty at all courts for the offence of failing to stop after an accident under the Road Traffic Act 1988 s. 170 (4) from 1997 to 2004 (latest available). The data does not distinguish those offences which resulted in injury from those which resulted in damage or both.
	2005 data will be available in 2007.
	
		
			  Offenders found guilty at all courts for accident offences( 1)  by police force area, England and Wales, 1997-2004( 2) 
			  Number of persons 
			  Forces  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Avon and Somerset 227 188 185 158 165 86 88 94 
			 Bedfordshire 47 59 68 72 66 64 62 56 
			 Cambridgeshire 78 76 79 71 50 58 69 79 
			 Cheshire 136 158 168 181 150 175 197 181 
			 Cleveland 62 51 48 40 35 46 45 46 
			 Cumbria 100 66 77 84 84 83 98 93 
			 Derbyshire 121 94 112 109 110 109 122 118 
			 Devon and Cornwall 157 109 106 91 118 139 154 267 
			 Dorset 112 97 71 68 80 57 87 58 
			 Durham 43 48 60 37 62 58 56 52 
			 Essex 232 248 222 274 276 295 302 295 
			 Gloucestershire 62 79 64 63 78 72 84 63 
			 Greater Manchester 444 447 469 442 470 465 423 486 
			 Hampshire 188 176 182 177 188 195 200 168 
			 Hertfordshire 126 108 101 127 108 136 144 122 
			 Humberside 141 127 113 107 146 126 150 107 
			 Kent 139 97 68 84 83 103 90 138 
			 Lancashire 154 150 132 125 135 93 135 112 
			 Leicestershire 124 95 104 94 108 79 105 99 
			 Lincolnshire 64 47 59 47 67 67 73 74 
			 London, City of 11 12 21 8 11 5 7 8 
			 Merseyside 174 163 83 120 151 130 210 239 
			 Metropolitan police 613 584 558 455 418 432 383 316 
			 Norfolk 143 157 128 109 118 127 123 132 
			 Northamptonshire 95 84 69 53 24 12 55 80 
			 Northumbria 117 117 110 148 139 146 141 151 
			 North Yorkshire 137 113 117 85 111 108 101 101 
			 Nottinghamshire 151 165 124 142 130 127 142 125 
			 South Yorkshire 153 153 152 184 197 169 197 170 
			 Staffordshire 148 116 69 37 71 72 103 130 
			 Suffolk 96 79 65 53 88 64 81 87 
			 Surrey 56 65 134 91 104 75 84 57 
			 Sussex 187 153 147 127 96 86 103 84 
			 Thames Valley 167 135 142 114 170 174 144 164 
			 Warwickshire 57 57 64 61 61 48 55 67 
			 West Mercia 160 141 166 131 167 203 205 231 
			 West Midlands 447 462 434 418 385 406 361 360 
			 West Yorkshire 266 292 282 261 282 279 243 282 
			 Wiltshire 67 71 53 59 81 73 66 75 
			 Dyfed Powys 61 46 44 56 46 48 54 64 
			 Gwent 57 72 56 63 53 46 46 38 
			 North Wales 97 109 92 67 76 103 88 127 
			 South Wales 157 172 154 150 136 152 161 179 
			 Total 6,374 6,038 5,752 5,443 5,694 5,591 5,837 5,975 
			 (1) Aiding, abetting, causing or permitting accident offences under the RTA88 s. 170(4). (2) These data are on the principal offence basis.  Notes: 1. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. Work is under way to ensure that the magistrates courts case management system currently being implemented by the Department for Constitutional Affairs reports all motoring offences to the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. This will enable more complete figures to be disseminated. 2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when these data are used.

Road Safety

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress being made by his Department on the approval of roadside drug testing equipment.

Vernon Coaker: International research has confirmed our belief that no existing device is suitable to be type approved for the conduct of roadside drug tests under the Road Traffic Act. The Home Office Scientific Development Branch and Forensic Science Service are preparing a detailed specification for a device that would be suitable for type approval and this should issued shortly. It will then be for manufacturers to prepare a device in accordance with this specification and submit it for the rigorous testing that forms part of the type approval process.

Road Safety

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many traffic offences were lost under the six-month rule in the last financial year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not collected centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Security Industry Authority

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications received by the Security Industry Authority are waiting to be processed; what the average waiting time is for processing such applications; what steps he has taken to reduce waiting times; when he expects the backlog of applications waiting to be processed to be cleared; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Applications received are currently being immediately checked and entered onto the Security Industry Authority (SIA) processing system. At 14 November the SIA had 17,220 applications in the processing system.
	Valid applications which are not subject to further inquiries about qualifications, identification or criminality are normally processed in approximately six weeks.
	Under a contingency plan adopted by the SIA two extra processing centres were set up to clear the backlog of applications waiting to be logged onto the licensing system. There is currently no backlog in placing applications onto the SIA's licensing system.
	The SIA has now deployed extra staff to assist with those complex applications which require further checks.

Statements (Disabled People)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of training provided for police officers in taking statements from disabled people.

Tony McNulty: Individual forces train officers and staff in obtaining evidence from victims and witnesses. Evaluation of training is a matter for forces, and information about it is not collated centrally.

Terrorist Detainees

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many terrorist suspects have been detained for 28 days; and how many of these have subsequently been  (a) charged and  (b) released.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 21 November 2006
	The maximum period of detention pre-charge was extended to 28 days with effect from 25 July 2006. Statistics compiled from police records show that six people have been held for 27 to 28 days. Of these six individuals, three were charged and three were released.

Underage Drinking

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding is available from his Department for the local council trading standards Christmas campaigns against underage drinking.

John Reid: Our expectation is that this Christmas, local council trading standards Christmas campaigns against underage drinking will be funded from their core budgets.

Young Offenders

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times children have been released from Ashfield Young Offender Institution without their property in each of the last three years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: HMP and YOI Ashfield has no record of any young person being released from custody (into the community) without their property over the last three years. There have been occasions, however, where young people have claimed that items have been lost from either their stored property, or in-possession property. In such cases a claim will be considered from the young person and compensation will be paid if the prison is found to be at fault.

Young Offenders

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what injuries were incurred by boys held in Huntercombe Young Offenders Institution during control and restraint in each month in  (a) 2005 and  (b) 2006.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Data on injuries sustained by boys held in Huntercombe during any incident in which force was used up to and including full control and restraint for the period January 2005 to October 2006 is shown in the following table. The forms used to record any incidents of use of force do not differentiate between control and restraint and other use of force. There were a total of 676 incidents; 134 of which (19.8 per cent.) resulted in some injury to the young person involved. A number of these injuries will have been sustained in incidents between young persons which lead to control and restraint being used but it has not been possible to extract all of these.
	
		
			  Data on injuries sustained by boys held in Huntercombe prison 
			Injuries received 
			  Month  Number of occurrences when force was used for any reason  Number  Nature 
			 January 2005 33 4 Cut to finger, pulled muscle 
			Sore right elbow 
			Swollen knuckle 
			Scratch to chest 
			 
			 February 2005 25 3 Abrasion to right arm 
			Painful right wrist 
			Mark to neck and damaged cuticle 
			 
			 March 2005 32 10 Sore thumb 
			Graze to right shoulder 
			Cut to lower lip, bruising to eyebrow 
			Swelling to left side of forehead and back of head 
			Swollen wrist, suspected fracture but none 
			Swelling and small cut to bottom lip 
			Graze to left side of head 
			Pain to elbow, sore knuckle to left hand 
			Scratch to back 
			Graze to eyebrow 
			 
			 April 2005 29 5 Sore knuckle 
			Sore right wrist 
			Cut and bump to centre of forehead 
			Swollen left wrist 
			Swelling to left side 
			 
			 May 2005 20 8 Pain in chest 
			Nose pain 
			Sore lip 
			Swollen knuckle and small scratch to right cheek 
			Graze left side of forehead and pain in right wrist 
			Pain and swelling to wrist 
			Pain right forearm 
			Sore right arm 
			 
			 June 2005 23 1 Left wrist swollen 
			 
			 July 2005 24 4 Small wound to right cheek and bit lip 
			Painful left wrist 
			Bit tongue 
			Painful shoulder/ribcage 
			 
			 August 2005 18 1 Red wrist 
			 
			 September 2005 24 5 Cut lip 
			Minor graze to right wrist 
			Painful right wrist 
			Painful right arm 
			Reddening of elbows 
			 
			 October 2005 32 7 Cut to lip 
			Redness to nose and forehead 
			Painful left wrist 
			Right index finger hurt 
			Painful right wrist 
			Nosebleed 
			Small bruise to jaw, graze to neck and scratch to back 
			 
			 November 2005 42 3 Sore back 
			Nosebleed 
			Redness to wrists 
			 
			 December 2005 42 6 Red marks to back 
			Small abrasion 
			Painful hands and wrists 
			Scratches to neck 
			Red marks to wrists 
			Painful arm 
			 
			 January 2006(1) 51 13 Pain in left wrist 
			Small bump to back 
			Pain in right wrist 
			Right wrist bruised 
			Pain to left wrist 
			Red mark on forehead 
			Red marks right wrist 
			Bump to head 
			Carpet burn, bruise and grazes 
			Bruised right knee 
			Painful right wrist 
			Left wrist slightly swollen 
			Pain in left thumb 
			 
			 February 2006 14 3 Pain and slight redness left hand 
			Redness to both wrists, sore nose 
			Red marks around wrists 
			 
			 March 2006 36 11 Abrasions to left shoulder, knees and right arm 
			Superficial graze to knee 
			Small graze to right hand 
			Sore wrists 
			Bruising to temple, graze left leg, bruising to upper arms and right forearm 
			Pain and slight swelling to left forearm 
			Small scratch to left side of neck 
			Small injury to right thumb 
			Painful right wrist 
			Pain in right wrist 
			Soreness and bump above top lip 
			 
			 April 2006 39 11 Graze to left elbow 
			Cut to fingers 
			Sore wrist 
			Stiff neck 
			Right arm painful 
			Redness to wrists 
			Left hand sore 
			Sore right wrist 
			Graze to nose and ear 
			Little finger swollen 
			Sore wrists 
			 
			 May 2006 46 7 Small incision to lip, chipped tooth, swelling to forehead 
			Painful left wrist 
			Marks to wrists 
			Painful wrists 
			Bleeding mole on forehead 
			Superficial cut to neck 
			Small bump to forehead 
			 
			 June 2006 34 10 Bang to back of head 
			Bruise to wrist and elbow 
			Sore wrist 
			Scratch on hands 
			Right hand red and slightly swollen 
			Right wrist pain and slightly swollen 
			Small cut behind right ear 
			Left wrist swollen and bruised 
			Bruising to wrists 
			Sore arm 
			 
			 July 2006 33 5 Marks on wrists 
			Fractured wrist 
			Painful wrists 
			Painful left wrist 
			Nosebleed 
			 
			 August 2006 36 7 Pain to wrists 
			Small bruise to forehead 
			Left wrist painful 
			Graze to forehead, cut lip, painful wrist 
			Slight pain to wrist 
			Small cut to right finger 
			Small bump and graze to forehead 
			 
			 September 2006 23 2 Painful left wrist 
			Painful wrists, slight swelling to thumb 
			 
			 October 2006 20 8 Red marks on wrists and small abrasion on face 
			Sore elbow 
			Sore left wrist 
			Sore wrist and bump to head 
			Very small bruise left shoulder 
			Painful left hand 
			Scratches 
			Painful right wrist 
			 Total 676 134(2)  
			 (1) Major incident outside the mosqueapproximately 30 boys attacking each other and staff (2) 19.8 per cent. of use of force incidents resulted in some injury

Young Offenders

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys were subjected to a strip search in Huntercombe Young Offenders Institution in each month in  (a) 2005 and  (b) 2006; and how many times control and restraint procedures were used during such searches in each month.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following tables give figures for all full searches and searches under control and restraint for January 2005 to October 2006:
	
		
			  Full searches and searches under control and restraint for January 2005 to October 2006 
			   2005 
			  Full searches  January   February   March   April  May  June 
			 Reception 106 81 63 70 93 74 
			 Discharge 102 75 64 72 97 74 
			 Room Search 120 120 120 120 120 120 
			 Visits 40 40 40 40 40 40 
			 Searches under control and restraint 0 0 3 0 4 1 
			 Total Full Searches 368 316 290 302 354 309 
		
	
	
		
			  Full searches  July  August  September   October  November   December 
			 Reception 114 79 83 85 97 53 
			 Discharge 114 72 82 83 108 14 
			 Room Search 120 120 120 120 120 120 
			 Visits 40 40 40 40 40 40 
			 Searches under control and restraint 1 2 1 1 2 7 
			 Total Full Searches 389 313 326 329 367 234 
		
	
	
		
			   2006 
			  Full Searches  January  February   March  April  May 
			 Receptions 53 103 79 110 83 
			 Discharges 39 129 63 112 67 
			 Room Searches 120 120 120 120 60 
			 Visits 40 40 40 40 40 
			 Searches under control and restraint 4 0 1 1 1 
			 Total Full Searches 256 392 303 383 251 
		
	
	
		
			  Full Searches  June  July  August  September  October 
			 Receptions 72 85 67 85 121 
			 Discharges 68 85 66 83 114 
			 Room Searches 60 60 60 60 60 
			 Visits 40 40 40 40 40 
			 Searches under control and restraint 2 0 2 0 0 
			 Total Full Searches 242 270 235 268 335

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Boarding Schools

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many places were available in state boarding schools in England in each year since 1976.

Jim Knight: The years for which data is immediately available are in the table. A full response will be placed in the Library as soon as it is collated.
	
		
			   Headcount  Number of boarders 
			 1996 25,255 3,546 
			 1997 25,569 3,546 
			 1998 25,998 3,912 
			 1999 26,979 3,949 
			 2000 27,764 3,987 
			 2001 28,526 4,005 
			 2002 29,134 3,500 
			 2003 29,954 3,383 
			 2004 30,660 3,585 
			 2005 31,280 3,950 
			 2006 31,703 4,104 
			  Source: Annual schools census. Does not include two state boarding schools which are sixth form colleges as annual school census data are not available.

Child Care

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of families living in poverty in each UK constituency have  (a) free and  (b) subsidised childcare.

Beverley Hughes: I am replying with information on the position in England only. The position in other parts of the United Kingdom is a matter for the respective devolved Administrations.
	All three and four-year-olds in England are entitled to 12.5 hours free early education provision over 38 weeks. Through the 10-year childcare strategy, we have committed to extending the universal minimum free early education entitlement to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks by 2010.
	As part of the spending review 2004, the Chancellor announced a small scale pilot programme to provide 12,000 disadvantaged two-year-olds (including those from low-income families) with access to free early education and childcare. The pilots commenced in April 2006 and run until 2008. They will enable us to look closely at the potential benefits of such provision, focusing in particular on improvements in child outcomes and closing early achievement gaps. The pilots will also explore the effectiveness of different strategies for engaging the most disadvantaged groups.
	Information on subsidised child care is not available.

Class Sizes

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size is for  (a) primary and  (b) secondary classes.

Jim Knight: The available information is given in the table.
	
		
			  Maintained primary and secondary schools: average class sizes( 1,2 ) as at January 2006, England 
			   Average class size 
			 Primary 26.3 
			 Secondary 21.5 
			 (1) Classes as taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the census in January. (2) Classes taught by one teacher.  Source:  Schools' Census.

Early Years Teachers

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent in each of the last five years supporting early years teachers with funding towards their continued professional development.

Jim Knight: Early years teachers employed in schools may access schools' budgets for funds to support their continuing professional development (CPD). In addition an element of the General Sure Start Grant may be used to fund the CPD of early years teachers and other early years staff working across maintained and other settings. Decisions about the actual amount of expenditure deployed in this way are made locally by schools and local authorities.

Education Funding

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what financial assistance will be offered to local education authorities where a significant proportion of children do not speak English as their first language in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The ethnic minority achievement grant (EMAG) is a ring-fenced grant which provides a contribution towards additional support for underachieving ethnic minority pupils and support for those pupils for whom English is an additional language. The total grant for 2007-08 is 179 million. The dedicated schools grant (DSG) gives local authorities allocations for multi-year periods: the allocations for 2007-08 will depend on pupil numbers in schools in January 2007, and the guaranteed unit of funding set in December 2005, which is set out as follows, is influenced by the number of children for whom English is an additional language in the authority.
	The formula used to calculate Schools Formula Spending Share for 2005-06 and previous years took account of the extra spending needed by those authorities with populations of children for whom English is an additional language, and from low- performing ethnic minority groups. Approximately 435 million of the 24.6 billion Schools FSS for 2005-06 was distributed on the basis of numbers of children in these two categories. Since the formula for dedicated schools grant starts from local authorities' spending on schools for 2005-06, that will also take account of the extra spending needed by authorities with such children.
	When we have the results of the spending review in summer 2007, we will set indicative allocations for a three-year period for 2008-09 to 2010-11, which will be finalised when we have the pupil numbers for each year. We will be consulting in spring 2007as part of the new school funding arrangements from 2008-09on new arrangements for distributing DSG to local authorities.

Education Funding

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much Government funding per head has been provided to local education authorities for children in  (a) Shropshire,  (b) Herefordshire,  (c) Staffordshire,  (d) Warwickshire and  (e) Gloucestershire in 2006-07.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the dedicated schools grant guaranteed unit of funding:
	
		
			  2006-07 DSG guaranteed unit of funding 
			
			 Gloucestershire 3,358.48 
			 Herefordshire 3,296.93 
			 Shropshire 3,338.62 
			 Staffordshire 3,381.34 
			 Warwickshire 3,403.98 
			  Notes: 1. The majority of funding for schools is delivered through the dedicated schools grant (DSG) which was introduced in April 2006. The DSG offers a guaranteed amount per pupil, and these figures are given in the table above. 2. Funding through revenue grants has not been included in the figures.

Educational Attainment

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the national average percentage of candidates achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and mathematics was in the last 12 months, broken down by ethnic origin of candidates.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the percentage of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in 2005 achieving five plus A* to C at GCSE and equivalent including English and mathematics by ethnicity.
	
		
			  Ethnic group  Eligible pupils  5+ A*-C inc. E and M 
			 White 486,887 43.0 
			 White British 473,409 42.9 
			 Irish 2,243 50.7 
			 Traveller of Irish Heritage 111 20.7 
			 Gypsy/Roma 286 9.1 
			 Any other White background 10,838 46.2 
			 Mixed 12,085 41.9 
			 White and Black Caribbean 4,423 30.5 
			 White and Black African 1,156 40.8 
			 White and Asian 2,266 56.6 
			 Any other mixed background 4,240 46.1 
			 Asian 35,242 44.0 
			 Indian 13,127 57.4 
			 Pakistani 13,257 32.5 
			 Bangladeshi 5,225 34.5 
			 Any other Asian background 3,633 50.8 
			 Black 20,391 30.7 
			 Black Caribbean 8,590 27.1 
			 Black African 9,363 35.0 
			 Any other Black background 2,438 27.5 
			 Chinese 2,316 68.8 
			 Any other ethnic group 4,928 40.3 
			 Unclassified(1) 22,410 38.2 
			 All pupils 584,259 42.5 
			 (1) Includes information refused or not obtained. 
		
	
	More detailed breakdowns of 2005 figures are available in SFR 09/2006 at
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000640/index.shtml.
	Provisional 2006 figures will be available on 23 November 2006 in SFR 46/2006 which can be found at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000693/index.shtml.

Educational Attainment

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in England gained  (a) nine,  (b) 10,  (c) 11,  (d) 12,  (e) 13 and  (f) 14 GCSEs in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the number of 15-year-old pupils(1) in England who obtained the following numbers of GCSEs and equivalents(2) at grades A*-G.
	
		
			  GCSEs or equivalent( 2) 
			   9 or more  10 or more  11 or more  12 or more  13 or more  14 or more 
			 1997 365,080 140,481 19,733 2,228 351 67 
			 1998 366,094 156,066 23,498 2,940 698 153 
			 1999 383,377 171,423 26,689 3,422 977 261 
			 2000 391,631 181,248 29,617 4,223 1,059 297 
			 2001 408,860 200,451 35,979 5,658 1,233 487 
			 2002 415,821 219,811 51,921 14,216 5,428 1,858 
			 2003 425,122 251,027 85,885 33,671 14,343 4,777 
			 2004 452,538 295,234 116,156 50,652 22,620 8,090 
			 2005 451,558 310,538 139,883 66,070 31,424 12,637 
			 2006(3) 465,668 332,285 164,833 83,004 40,797 17,832 
			 (1) Pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic year, i.e. 31 August. (2) 1997 to 2003 include GCSEs/GNVQs. 2004 onwards include GCSEs and other equivalences approved pre-16. (3) Data for 2006 is provisional. Data for all other years is final.

Educational Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on  (a) primary education and  (b) nursery education in each year since 1990-91 in 2004-05 prices; what the estimated expenditure is for 2006-07 in 2004-05 prices; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The available information is contained within the following table.
	
		
			  Education expenditure( 1,2)  by central and local government( 3)  for under 5s and within primary schools in real terms( 4 ) in England 1990-91 to 2005-06 ( million), excluding Ofsted expenditure 
			   Schools( 5 ) current( 6) 
			   Under fives( 7)  Primary 
			 1990-91 1,473 6,759 
			 1991-92 1,620 7,160 
			 1992-93 1,749 7,510 
			 1993-94 1,843 7,593 
			 1994-95 1,944 7,865 
			 1995-96 1,965 7,864 
			 1996-97 2,005 7,890 
			 1997-98 2,114 7,897 
			 1998-99 2,157 8,011 
			
			 1999-2000 2,399 8,322 
			 2000-01 2,683 9,020 
			 2001-02 3,232 9,741 
			
			 2002-03 3,291 10,179 
			 2003-04 3,657 10,774 
			 2004-05 3,920 (8)10,901 
			 2005-06 4,010 (9)11,209 
			 (1) Figures within departmental expenditure limits (DEL). Excludes DfES administration costs and expenditure on areas other than education, for instance on children and families and on skills. Figures for 1998-99 onwards are resource-based. Central Government figures for 1995-96 to 1997-98 are cash-based. (2) Differences between the totals above and the figures for primary education spending in HM Treasury's Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) Report are the result of (a) data coverage: the exclusion of Annual Managed Expenditure (AME) items in the above table, (b) definitional differences: Departmental administration costs and Ofsted spending on education are both classified as education are both classified as education spending under UN Classification of Functions Government (COFOG) international definitionsthe above table excludes these, (c) reclassifications made since Budget 2006 of Connexions spending to social protection and Adult Education spend to training in line with UN COFOG definitions. The next scheduled HMT National Statistics release will update education spending to take account of these reclassifications, (d) further minor data coverage and timing differences. (3) The recurrent local authority figures in this table are drawn from the Local Government Expenditure table of the Departmental Annual Report (table 8.3 of the 2006 DAR); the footnotes to that table set out the underlying data sources. The blank rows denote the changes from the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions education Revenue Outturn return (the 'RO1') to Section 52 Outturn Statements 1999-2000 and arising from the review of the Section 52 categories in 2002-03 following the introduction of Consistent Financial Reporting to schools. (4) Sources of the figures in the table are as follows: 1997-98 to 2005-06 from the Education Select Committee table, 1995-96 to 1996-97 from the November 2005 Education Bulletin, 1993-94 to 1994-95 from the November 2004 Bulletin, 1989-90 to 1992-93 from the Departmental Reports. (5) All figures have been converted to 2005-06 price levels using 27 September 2006 gross domestic product (GDP) deflators. The base year of these figures is 2005-06, not 2004-05, so the figures are in 2005-06 prices. (6) Includes expenditure on county, voluntary aided, special agreement, grant-maintained schools, city technology colleges and other specialist schools. Central Government funding on grant-maintained schools has been apportioned to under-fives, primary and secondary sectors using pupil numbers. (7) Figures from 2003-04 onwards reflect the transfer of responsibility from the Department to LEAs of costs relating to teachers pensions. (8) Provisional outturn. (9) Estimated outturn.  Note: As we can only project forecasts figures one year on from the outturn statements, we only have figures available for up to 2005-06.

Environmentally Sustainable Behaviour

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what advice and assistance his Department provides to schools wishing to introduce energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives.

Jim Knight: Energy and water are combined within one of the eight sustainability themes that featured in the recent DfES consultation on Sustainable Schools. Various sources of help and support are available from the website that was launched during that consultation(1), for example we recently published top ten tips that schools can adopt to reduce energy and waste costs.
	(1) http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools/framework/ or
	http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools/framework/frameworkdetail.cfm?id=39

Every Child Matters

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provisions are being made in the Every Child Matters initiative for families who opt for education at home.

Jim Knight: The Government recognise the right of parents to choose to educate their children at home. The Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme is aimed at ensuring, through effective multi-agency working, that all children and parents have the support they need and this applies equally to children being educated at home.

Faith Schools

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research his Department has commissioned into the cultural and ethnic make-up of pupils in faith schools in England.

Jim Knight: The Department has commissioned research entitled Minority ethnic pupils in the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England which primarily aims to explore differences between ethnic groups and the impact on their attainment. The research will also examine representation of ethnic and faith groups across different school types and is scheduled to report in spring 2007.

Faith Schools

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many  (a) Muslim,  (b) Catholic,  (c) Hindu,  (d) Jewish and  (e) Sikh pupils there are at Church of England (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in England;
	(2)  how many  (a) Muslims,  (b) Protestants,  (c) Hindus,  (d) Jewish and  (e) Sikh pupils there are in Catholic (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in England;
	(3)  how many  (a) Christian,  (b) Hindu,  (c) Jewish and  (d) Sikh pupils there are in Muslim schools in England.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not collected centrally on the basis of faith.

Fingerprinting

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in England collect fingerprints of their pupils; and what guidance his Department has given on fingerprinting of pupils.

Jim Knight: The Department does not record the number of schools in England that collect fingerprints of their pupils.
	Schools and local authorities are responsible for deciding their own policies relating to information about children which they wish to hold and use, subject to the relevant legislation on Data Protection and Freedom of Information. The Department has published guidance for schools and local authorities on implementing the legislation but has not issued specific guidance on the introduction of fingerprinting.

Five-Year Strategy for Children and Learners

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what budget has been allocated to the Learning and Skills Council for the purpose of implementing paragraphs 36 to 42 of the Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners (Cm 6272).

Jim Knight: The 16-19 Capital Fund administered by the Learning and Skills Council supports the capacity building measures set out in the Five Year Strategy and 14-19 Education and Skills Implementation Plan. These include the expansion of high-performing secondary schools under 'presumption' arrangements; 16-19 competitions; and from 2007, FE colleges under 'presumption' arrangements. In 2006-07 up to 120 million is available, and up to 180 million in 2007-08.

Graduate Debt

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on levels of graduate debt.

Bill Rammell: For those commencing courses after the introduction of variable fees in the 2006-07 academic year we expect average student debt of around 15,000. Debts arising from student loans are very different from those from commercial loan products.
	Repayments are linked to income and only calculated on earnings over 15,000; and only then at a rate of just 9 per cent. on earnings above that threshold. This means a borrower earning below this threshold does not have to make repayments. For example, someone earning the average graduate starting salary of 18,000 will repay 5.19 per week regardless of the amount borrowed. The Government subsidise the rate of interest on these loans to ensure that borrowers only repay in real terms what they borrowed, however long it takes them.
	The Government are providing more in upfront loan and grant support than ever before, particularly for low income students. Full-time eligible students are now entitled to non-repayable maintenance grants of up to 2,700, with HE institutions also providing bursaries of typically 1,000, which can be used to reduce debt.

Higher Education Funding

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the Higher Education Funding Council for England on the decision not to introduce a change to the fee assumption when determining funding; and what assessment he has made of the effect of this decision on institutions with large numbers of part-time students.

Bill Rammell: While this is a matter for the Funding Council to decide, I welcome its decision not to change the fee assumption, in line with the wishes of the majority of higher education institutions. The decision is consistent with the assurances given to Parliament during the passage of the Higher Education Act 2004, that income through variable fees earned by institutions would be additional to the funding they would have received, other things being equal. No institution will lose grant as a result of the decision to maintain the present fee assumptions in real terms and it is for each institution to determine the balance of full-time and part-time students it admits.

Head Teachers

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many head teacher posts are filled by temporary head teachers.

Jim Knight: In January 2006, the latest information available, there were 650 temporarily filled head teacher posts in maintained sector schools in England, a rate of 2.9 per cent.
	Temporarily filled posts include all those without a permanent incumbent, irrespective of the length of contract of the teacher covering it or whether the post has been advertised and includes those where an appointment has been made but not yet taken up.
	The information provided is from the Department for Education and Skills annual survey of teachers in service and teacher vacancies, 618g.

Head Teachers

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many head teacher positions are vacant in secondary schools; and what the average length of vacancy of such a position was in 2006-07.

Jim Knight: In January 2006, the latest information available, there were 30 vacant head teacher posts in local authority maintained secondary schools, a rate of 0.9 per cent.
	Information on the average length of time that head teacher vacancies remain unfilled is not collected centrally.
	Under the Department for Education and Skills', (DfES), standard definition, vacancies are those advertised for full-time permanent appointments, or appointments of at least one term's duration, and include those being filled by a teacher on a temporary contract of less than one term's duration.
	The provided information is from the DfES annual survey of teachers in service and teacher vacancies, 618g.

HM Chief Inspector of Schools

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the appointment procedure is for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector for Schools.

Jim Knight: Section 1 (1) of the Education Act 2005 provides for the appointment of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools by the Queen in Council. There is a longstanding convention that the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, on behalf of the Government, makes a recommendation to Her Majesty on the appointment.

Maintained Schools

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools he estimates wish to opt out of local authority control.

Jim Knight: It is not possible for maintained schools to opt out of local authority control. I do not, therefore, hold information about how many schools might wish to do so.

National Identity Register

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which datasets held by his Department have been identified as suitable for use in the National Identity Register database.

Beverley Hughes: The Department has not identified whether any datasets might or might not be suitable for use in the National Identity Register.

New Schools

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many new schools commissioned by local authorities have been built since 2001; and how many applications he received from local authorities to build new community schools in that period.

Jim Knight: The Department relies on local authorities to determine schools provision, including the expansion of existing schools or the provision of new ones, and does not maintain central records of new community schools that have been built.
	Proposals by local authorities to establish new community schools are decided locally by the local authority, School Organisation Committee or schools adjudicator and the Secretary of State plays no part in the process. Since 2001 proposals for 567 community schools have been published of which 529 have been approved, eight rejected and 30 are awaiting decision. These figures include new schools established as a result of a local reorganisation or amalgamation of schools, where the new schools will be established in the premises of closing schools.
	Since September 2006 a local authority has been required to seek consent from the Secretary of State if they wish to establish a secondary school without running a competition. If consent is given the local authority would have to publish statutory proposals and these would be decided under local decision-making arrangements. No applications for consent have been received to publish proposals for a community secondary school.

New Teachers

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills now many new teachers have been employed since 1997, broken down by local authority.

Jim Knight: Information on the number of new teachers entering service is not available at local authority level.
	The following table provides the number of newly qualified entrants to maintained sector service in England in each year from 1997-98 to 2004-05, the latest information available. The table does not include teachers whose entry to the English maintained sector was delayed after attaining qualified teacher status.
	
		
			  Newly qualified entrants( 1)  to the maintained sector in England, 1997-98 to 2004-05 
			   Full-time  Part-time( 2)  Total 
			 1997-98 18,010 890 18,900 
			 1998-99 16,820 840 17,660 
			 1999-2000 17,630 810 18,440 
			 2000-01 16,780 600 17,380 
			 2001-02 18,330 570 18,910 
			 2002-03 20,790 760 21,550 
			 2003-04(3) 22,250 990 23,240 
			 2004-05(3,4) 21,950 1,000 22,950 
			 Total 152,560 6,470 159,030 
			 (1) Teacher qualified in the previous calendar year. (2) 10-20 per cent. of part-time teachers may not be included in the data. (3) Provisional. (4) Figures for 2004-05 may be underestimated due to the late receipt of data.  Source: Database of Teacher Records.

North Devon College

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what factors underlay the decision of the Learning and Skills Council to refuse additional funding to North Devon College, on behalf of the Prince's Trust Team Programme in Torridge, following over-recruitment for the Programme.

Bill Rammell: I can confirm the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has agreed to allocate an additional 75,000 to North Devon College specifically for the funding of Prince's Trust programme in 2006/07 at Torridge Training.
	Generally additional funding is not available in-year for further education colleges as funding is based on plans agreed with the LSC that they guarantee to fund. The guarantee that college plans will be fully funded has been widely welcomed in terms of stability and assured levels of funding. However, it does mean colleges recruiting above agreed plans cannot expect to receive additional funding above the level agreed with the LSC, although there is an expectation that higher volumes in priority areas should be reflected in the following year.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if he will publish the business case made in relation to the proposed relocation of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority from London to Coventry;
	(2)  whether a race impact assessment has been undertaken of the proposed move of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority from London to Coventry;
	(3)  what provisions have been made for those staff who work for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority who would not wish or be able to relocate should proposals go ahead to move the authority's function from London to Coventry.

Jim Knight: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has no plans to publish its business case for relocation out of London. Its business case did contain a race impact assessment. The QCA will adopt policies to facilitate staff moving from London to the Coventry area. For staff who are unable or unwilling to relocate, a comprehensive redundancy policy will apply.

School Closures

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many schools in  (a) England,  (b) each region and  (c) each local education authority closed for at least one day due to snowfall in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many school days were lost due to snowfall in the last year for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many schools closed for at least one day due to inclement weather in the last year for which figures are available;
	(4)  what guidance his Department has issued to schools about closures due to inclement weather.

Jim Knight: holding answer 21 November 2006
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 8 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1748W.

School Estates

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what powers he has in relation to unauthorised dwellings that are established on and adjacent to schools and close to classrooms which may be endangering pupils.

Jim Knight: The Government have created powers for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to take action against an employer, including a school employer, if they fail in their duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety of persons affected by their undertaking. In the case of a school, that duty relates to pupils when they are on school activities.

School Finance

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the Financial Management Standards in Schools initiative will apply to smaller schools without bursars; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: We will be announcing a timetable for primary, middle and special schools to meet the Financial Management Standard in Schools (FMSiS) later this term. We are currently consulting with local authority finance and school improvement staff as part of the Supporting Schools Financial Management (SSFM) programme, to look at how best the FMSiS can be applied to primary schools, The general consensus however, is that the standard will apply, but that the evidence that is required from primary schools may need to be more flexible.
	Section 2.2 of the Financial Management Standard provides for the member of staff with lead responsibility for the day-to-day financial management of the school to be involved in decisions made by the School Leadership Team (SLT), since every decision will have a financial consequence. This role could be fulfilled by a bursar, business manager, finance officer, deputy head, etc. Ideally, they should be a member of the SLT, but if not, they should certainly be involved in meetings or decisions of the SLT and evidence should be provided that this is the case.
	For some smaller schools it may be more appropriate for financial support to be bought in from the local authority or a third-party on a part-time basis, perhaps as part of a shared bursar scheme. In these cases we seek assurance that the quality of information provided by this service meets the standard and that decisions taken by the SLT are on the basis of informed financial management information.

School Meals

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what proportion of schools are equipped with kitchens capable of providing school meals for all pupils attending the school;
	(2)  what proportion of the schools  (a) newly built and  (b) refurbished under the Building Schools for the Future programme will be equipped with a kitchen capable of preparing school lunches for all children attending that school.

Jim Knight: The school premises data that my Department receives from authorities identifies numbers of kitchen/dining spaces in each school that are considered by authorities and schools to be lacking or unsuitable, but kitchens are not separately identified.
	The facilities that are built under the Building Schools for the Future programme will be designed to meet the needs of each school and to reflect local priorities. This will be an opportunity for any schools that do not already have all the facilities they need to provide them.
	In September 2006 the Secretary of State announced further funding to support the provision of school kitchens, ahead of the Building Schools for the Future programme, where there are none and there is exceptional need that cannot be met by authorities from other sources.
	The Department's area guidelines for secondary schools allow for kitchen facilities that will meet the current healthy eating agenda. In spring 2007, the Department will be publishing more detailed design guidance on school kitchen and dining areas.

Science and Maths Teaching

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to improve the teaching of science and mathematics in schools to engage young people more effectively.

Jim Knight: The Government are engaging young people more effectively in science and mathematics by improving the quality of teaching and learning through a number of different ways. These include:
	Improving the quality of teaching by ensuring all science and mathematics teachers have access to good-quality continuing professional development through the network of Science Learning Centres and the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics. Support and guidance are also available through the National Strategies.
	Reviewing the Key Stage 3 science and mathematics curricula to ensure that they offer teachers more flexibility to meet pupils' individual learning needs. The Key Stage 4 science curriculum has already been revised to make it more manageable and to focus on the key conceptual underpinnings of science, as well as its excitement and relevance.
	Developing innovative Key Stage 3 mathematics lesson materials through a 4 million partnership with the Bowland Trust that will draw on the interests of pupils while bringing out mathematical ways of thinking.
	Piloting 250 after-school science and engineering clubs, offering an engaging and stretching programme of activities to Key Stage 3 pupils with an interest and potential in science.
	Restructuring mathematics GCSE to place functional skills at its heart so that pupils will not be able to get a grade C or better without passing a functional skills unit.

Special Schools

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many  (a) independent and  (b) maintained special schools have opened in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority.

Jim Knight: The numbers of special schools opened, by local authority, from 1997 to 2006 are as follows:
	
		
			  (a) Independent special schools 
			  Local authority  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  Grand total 
			 Barking and Dagenham  1 1 
			 Barnsley   1 1   1 
			 Bedfordshire 11  2 
			 Birmingham1 1  2 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 1 1 2 
			 Blackpool1 2  3 
			 Bradford 1  1 
			 Brighton and Hove 1  1 
			 Bristol City of 1 1 2 
			 Bromley 1  1 
			 Buckinghamshire  1 1  1  14 
			 Bury  1 1 
			 Calderdale   1   11 3 
			 Cambridgeshire1  1 1   3 6 
			 Camden   11 
			 Cheshire   1  1 13 6 
			 Cornwall  1   1  2 
			 Croydon  1 1 11 1 2 7 
			 Cumbria  1  1 1 1  1   5 
			 Derby 1  1 
			 Derbyshire1  2 3 
			 Devon  2 1   2 5 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire1 1  2 
			 East Sussex 12 1 1 1  1 7 
			 Enfield   11 
			 Essex   11 
			 Gloucestershire  2 2 
			 Hackney 1  1 
			 Halton  2 2 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham  1 1 
			 Hampshire  1 1 
			 Haringey  1 1 
			 Herefordshire 111  3 
			 Hertfordshire 1  1 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1  1 
			 Kent 1  3 1 4 1 1 2 2 9 24 
			 Kingston upon Hull City of 1 1 2 
			 Kirklees  1 1 
			 Lambeth 1  1 
			 Lancashire 1 1  1 1   2 5 3 14 
			 Leicester 1  1 
			 Leicestershire   1  1 1 3 
			 Lincolnshire 2  2 
			 Liverpool1 1  2 
			 Manchester  1   1  1  1  4 
			 Medway  1 1 
			 Merton   11 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne  1 1 
			 Norfolk 2 2 4 
			 North Lincolnshire  1 1 
			 North Tyneside 1  1 
			 North Yorkshire1  1 2 
			 Northamptonshire   1 1   2 
			 Northumberland  1 1 
			 Nottingham1   1 
			 Nottinghamshire   1   6 7 
			 Oldham  1 1 
			 Oxfordshire 1  1 
			 Peterborough1   1 
			 Plymouth 1  1 
			 Poole  1 1 
			 Rochdale1 6 15 22 
			 Rutland 1  1 
			 Salford   1 1   2 
			 Sefton  1  1   2 
			 Shropshire   1 1 1 1   2 5 11 
			 Somerset   2  3   1 3 3 12 
			 Southampton  12 3 
			 Southend-on-Sea 1 1 2 
			 Southwark 1  1 
			 St. Helens1   1 
			 Staffordshire  1   1  2 
			 Stockport  1 1 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 1  1 
			 Suffolk 3  3 
			 Surrey   1 2   3 
			 Sutton  2 13 
			 Tameside 1  1 
			 Telford and Wrekin 1  12 
			 Waltham Forest   11 
			 Wandsworth   11 
			 Warrington   1   2 3 
			 Warwickshire1   1 
			 West Berkshire   11 
			 West Sussex1   2  2 2 7 
			 Westminster  1 1 
			 Wiltshire 1   1 1  3 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead  1 1 
			 Grand total 8 8 15 12 24 19 19 20 51 81 257 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Maintained special schools 
			  Local authority  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  Grand total 
			 Barking and Dagenham 1  1 
			 Barnsley 1  1 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 1 1 2 
			 Bexley 1  1 
			 Blackburn with Darwen1   12 
			 Bournemouth 1  1 
			 Brighton and Hove  1 1 
			 Bristol City of1 1  2 
			 Bromley   11 
			 Cambridgeshire   1   2 3 
			 Cheshire  2 2 
			 Coventry  2 2 
			 Derbyshire 3  3 
			 Devon  1 1 
			 Durham  1 1  2  4 
			 Essex   112 
			 Gateshead 31  4 
			 Gloucestershire  2   1  3 
			 Greenwich 3  3 
			 Hampshire  11 2 
			 Harrow 2  2 
			 Herefordshire1   1 
			 Islington  1 1 
			 Kent   1 11 1  4 
			 Kingston upon Hull City of2   2 
			 Kirklees  1 1 
			 Lambeth 2  2 
			 Lancashire 115 2 9 
			 Leeds 2  2 
			 Leicester 1 1 2 
			 Leicestershire1  1 2 
			 Lincolnshire   3   1 4 
			 Liverpool  1  4  1 6 
			 Manchester1 1 1 3 
			 Medway   11 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne   4   1 5 
			 North Tyneside 1 1 2 
			 Northamptonshire 1 2 3 
			 Northumberland1   1 
			 Oldham 21  3 
			 Peterborough 1   1   2 
			 Portsmouth  1 1 
			 Redbridge 1  1 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 1  1 
			 Salford 1  1 
			 Sandwell3   3 
			 Sheffield 2  2 
			 Slough  1 1 
			 Somerset  1 1 
			 South Gloucestershire   11 
			 South Tyneside1   1 
			 St. Helens 1  1 
			 Staffordshire 1  1 
			 Stockport   1 1   2 
			 Sunderland   11 
			 Telford and Wrekin1   1 
			 Thurrock1   1 
			 Torbay   11 
			 Tower Hamlets 1  1 
			 Trafford 1  1   1 3 
			 Wakefield 11 2   1  5 
			 Wandsworth  1 1 
			 Warwickshire1 2 1 4 
			 Wigan6   1   3 10 
			 Wirral 1  1 
			 Wolverhampton   11 
			 Worcestershire  1 1 
			 York2   2 
			 Grand total 14 10 11 18 18 7 11 13 24 23 149 
			  Source: DfES 
		
	
	The figures include schools that opened as a result of the amalgamation or merger of two or more schools; schools that have closed but re-opened as voluntary schools with a religious character; and schools that have opened in local authorities that have moved from a three-tier to a two-tier system.
	Independent special schools are comprised of independent special schools and non-maintained special schools (those which, while independent are solely used by local authorities and are therefore not the purview of the general public).

Teacher Shortages

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in Bournemouth have teacher shortages.

Jim Knight: The information is not available in the format requested but the number of teacher vacancies is collected.
	In January 2006, the latest information available, there was one vacancy in Bournemouth local authority giving a vacancy rate of 0.1 per cent. The vacancy was in a primary school and was for a classroom grade teacher. The vacancy rate for England was 0.6 per cent.
	The information is from the DfES annual survey of teachers in service and teacher vacancies, 618g. Vacancies counted are those advertised for full-time permanent appointments, or appointments of at least one term's duration, and include those being filled by a teacher on a temporary contract of less than one term's duration.

Teacher Training

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what training qualified teachers from overseas must complete in order to teach in schools in England.

Jim Knight: Teachers who are nationals of the European Economic Area countries and are trained and qualified in those countries are entitled under a European Union directive to be awarded qualified teacher status (QTS) without further training.
	Other overseas trained teachers are allowed to work as teachers in maintained schools and non-maintained special schools in England (other than pupil referral units) for a period of up to four years if they have successfully completed a programme of professional training for teachers in any country outside the UK which is recognised by the competent authority in that country.
	In order to continue teaching beyond four years, the teacher will need to obtain QTS either through an employment-based route (such as the Overseas Trained Teacher Programme) or a conventional Initial Teacher Training Programme.

Teachers' Pay and Conditions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether teachers working in academies will retain their national negotiating rights on pay and conditions.

Jim Knight: Academies are not bound by the Teachers Pay and Conditions of Service. They and their staff are able to negotiate pay and conditions arrangements to meet the particular needs of the Academy and its pupils.

HEALTH

Brachytherapy

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what representations she has received about extending availability of brachytherapy to men with prostate cancer;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the availability of brachytherapy;
	(3)  what the total spending was on brachytherapy treatments for men with prostate cancer in the last year for which figures are available;
	(4)  what steps she is taking to widen access to brachytherapy for men with prostate cancer.

Rosie Winterton: Since September 2005 the Department has received 13 letters and three parliamentary questions on brachytherapy.
	On 22 November the Department issued advice to the national health service on the development of low dose rate prostate brachytherapy services in England. Copies have been placed in the Library.
	This advice includes details of where prostate brachytherapy is known to be provided. It does not include information about total spend on prostate brachytherapy as this information is not collected centrally. However, it does include information about the potential costs of introducing and running a prostate brachytherapy service.
	The document is aimed at strategic health authorities, cancer networks, primary care trusts and NHS trusts in England and recommends that each cancer network should be able to refer appropriate patients to facilities offering prostate brachytherapy. It also provides advice on what a prostate brachytherapy service should look like. Although the advice is not mandatory, the NHS is encouraged to take the advice into account as it develops, provides or commissions brachytherapy services.

Cancer/Heart Disease (Mortality Rates)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her Department's press release of 27 September, entitled Mortality Rates from Cancer and Heart Disease Improve ref. 2006/0317, how her Department reached the figures of  (a) 50,000 lives saved from the reduction in cancer mortality rates since 1996 and  (b) 150,000 lives saved from the reduction in cardiovascular disease mortality rate since 1996; and if she will estimate how many lives were saved from the reduction in (i) cancer and (ii) cardiovascular disease mortality rates between (A) 1973 to 1978 and (B) 1978 to 1996.

Rosie Winterton: Lives saved is an assessment of the cumulative effect of year-on-year reductions to the numbers of deaths in a specific age group and from a specific cause of death. In this case, it relates to deaths from circulatory disease and cancer at ages under 75.
	It is calculated by subtracting from the number of deaths that occurred in the first year of the period, the number of deaths registered in each subsequent year, and then totalling the differences.
	An estimate of the lives saved over the other time periods requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Lives saved at ages under 75 
			   Persons aged under 75 
			  Lives saved  Circulatory disease (100-199)  Neoplasms (C00-C97) 
			 1973-78 (6 years) 17,000 0 
			 1978-1996 (19 years) 535,000 65,000 
			  Note:  Due to the different length of the time periods involved, the figures are not comparable with each other, or with the estimates for the period 1996 to 2005.

Carruthers Review

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the terms of reference are for the Carruthers Review.

Andy Burnham: Sir Ian Carruthers has been asked by the national health service chief executive, David Nicholson, to lead a piece of work to review all existing planned reconfiguration proposals. The review will look to support strategic health authorities and the national health service locally in ensuring that the changes being proposed are fit for purpose and well-managed at a local level.

Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will urge the managing director of the West Midlands South Strategic Health Authority to reply to the letters of  (a) 22 August and  (b) 17 October 2006 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire on changes in Worcestershire health service provision.

Caroline Flint: This matter has now been brought to the attention of the chief executive of the NHS West Midlands.

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients received dental treatment at an NHS walk-in centre in each month since 1 April 2005.

Rosie Winterton: Following the introduction of the dental reforms, regular information will be made available on the number of patients who receive care or treatment from national health service primary care dentists on one or more occasions within a rolling 24-month period.
	The Information Centre for health and social care expect to publish the first information from the new measure at the end of this month. This is expected to give information on the 24-month periods ending respectively 31 March, 30 June and 30 September 2006.
	The information on patients seen in the last 24 months will include patients receiving care or treatment in all dental primary care settings including dental access centres. It is not currently held in form that can be broken down into individual months or by type of service.
	NHS walk-in centres are nurse led and do not normally provide dental treatment.

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients visited an NHS dentist in each month since 1 April 2006.

Rosie Winterton: Following the introduction of the dental reforms, regular information will be made available on the number of patients who receive care or treatment from national health service primary care dentists on one or more occasions within a rolling 24-month period.
	The Information Centre for health and social care expects to publish the first information from the new measure at the end of this month. This is expected to give information on the 24-month periods ending respectively 31 March, 30 June and 30 September 2006.
	The information on patients seen in the last 24 months is not currently held in a form that can be broken down into individual months.

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what method her Department is using to measure patient access to NHS dental care following the end of patient registration upon the implementation of the new general dental services contract.

Rosie Winterton: The Department will measure the number of patients who receive care or treatment from national health service primary care dentists on one or more occasions within a rolling 24-month period.
	National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines recommend recall intervals of up to 24 months based on individual oral health. The old registration system required dentists to maintain their registration income and to recall all registered patients at least once every 15 months regardless of their oral health. The new system allows dentists to recall patients at intervals based on their individual oral health needs and the 24-month period chosen to measure access reflects this.
	The Information Centre for health and social care expects to publish the first information from the new measure at the end of this month. This is expected to give information on the 24-month periods ending respectively 31 March, 30 June and 30 September 2006.

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given by her Department to primary care trusts regarding the administration of patient charges for NHS dental services.

Rosie Winterton: Guidance for primary care trusts on the administration of patient charges was included in one of a series of factsheets (factsheet 4PCT allocations for primary care dentistry 2006-07 and patient charge income) which were issued on 8 December 2005 and placed on both the Department's and the national health service primary care contracting's websites, and copies have been placed in the Library.

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the projected shortfall is in patient charge revenue from NHS dental services.

Rosie Winterton: We are not able to estimate with certainty the full levels of income likely to be raised this year from patient charges. It takes time for clear patterns to emerge, given the time-lags between dentists completing courses of treatment, dentists submitting data to the National Health Service Business Services Authority who are processing the data.

Deprived Wards

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many non-executive directors of  (a) primary care trusts,  (b) acute trusts and  (c) mental health trusts live in wards categorised as being in the most deprived 20 per cent. of wards as measured by the normal index of deprivation.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected centrally.

Drug Analysis

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will direct the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to publish on its website drug analysis prints containing details of yellow card reports submitted after 25 May; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Medicines and Health Regulations Agency (MHRA) are committed to making drug safety information derived from the yellow card scheme as accessible as possible. To this end, in January 2005 the MHRA published aggregated, anonymised data summarising the suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported for all medicines on its website. The information has been updated to include ADR data up to 26 May 2006. This information is available at:
	www.mhra.gov.uk/mhra/DrugAnalysisPrints.
	The MHRA is currently implementing a major upgrade of the drug safety monitoring database and data reporting systems. This upgrade includes a review of the presentation of aggregated drug safety information with a view to making the information easier to interpret. Subsequent to this redesign, the MHRA will update the adverse drug reaction data on its website on a three-monthly cycle.

EEA Nationals (Health Care)

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether EEA nationals who obtain the right to reside in the UK under the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 are entitled to free  (a) hospital treatment and  (b) general practitioner services.

Rosie Winterton: Entitlement to access free national health service hospital treatment is based on whether someone is ordinarily resident in this country. Anyone who is not ordinarily resident is subject to the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended. These regulations place a responsibility on NHS hospitals to establish whether a person is ordinarily resident, or exempt from charges under one of a number of exemption categories, or liable for charges.
	Those European Economic Area nationals who move to the United Kingdom to take up lawful residence will be eligible for free treatment either by being considered ordinarily resident here or by being exempt from charges under the taking up permanent residence exemption category within the charging regulations.
	Any person who is living in the country on a lawful and settled basis may approach a general practitioner practice near to where they are living and apply to join its list of NHS patients in the same way as anyone else in the UK.

Hospital at Night Practitioners

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what risk assessment has been made in respect of replacing doctors with Hospital at Night practitioners in NHS hospitals.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 23 November 206
	'The implementation and impact of hospital at night pilot projects: An evaluation report' found that making use of the combined elements of the Hospital at Night modelmulti-disciplinary handovers, bleep filtering and extended roles, and working as a multi-professional teamimproved patient safety and led to better continuity of care.
	While risk assessment is the responsibility of local national health service trusts, the Department commissioned the National Patient Safety Agency to develop a 'Hospital at NightPatient Safety Risk Assessment Guide'. This document provides an approach to risk assessment for hospital at night solutions to ensure that their design and implementation leads to safer patient care.
	Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library.

Lyons Review

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many jobs in her Department have been relocated  (a) to Liverpool and  (b) elsewhere as a result of the Lyons Review; and on how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for the relocation of staff under this programme.

Ivan Lewis: As a result of the Lyons Review there have been no posts relocated to Liverpool and there have been 550 posts relocated elsewhere. The Department does not hold information on the number of occasions Liverpool has been considered for relocation under the Lyons Review. Data are published twice yearly and is available in the 2006 departmental report.

Macular Degeneration

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the prevalence of macular degeneration; and what estimate she has made of the number of such patients for whom intra-ocular pegaptanib sodium solution may be suitable;
	(2)  if she will take steps to provide funding for the provision of pegaptanib sodium solution as a treatment for macular degeneration prior to sight loss; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the number of people who lost their sight in England as a result of macular degeneration in each of the last 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of people with macular degeneration is not collected centrally. A study sponsored by the Macular Disease Society in 2001 estimated that there were 182,000 people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with a best eye visual acuity below that judged appropriate for certification as blind or partially sighted. There are an estimated 26,000 new cases of wet age-related macular degeneration each year.
	The Department does not routinely analyse the causes of blindness. However, an analysis by the Office for National Statistics of those registered blind or partially sighted showed that in 1990-91 there were 6,765 people certified blind and 7,204 certified partially sighted with AMD. Further analysis carried out by Moorfields Eye Hospital in 2004 showed that of those registered blind or partially sighted in 1999-2000 there were 7,881 certified blind and 10,705 certified partially sighted with AMD.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) started its review of Macugen and Lucentis as a treatment for the wet form of AMD on 1 August 2006 and the final guidance is expected in October 2007. NICE will consider the clinical and cost effectiveness of Macugen and Lucentis for the classic and non classic forms of wet AMD and will include advice on where Macugen and Lucentis may be effective.

Macular Degeneration

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department is funding research into  (a) dry and  (b) wet macular degeneration.

Andy Burnham: The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Innovation.
	In 2003-04, the latest year for which figures are available, the MRC spent 5.6 million on vision research. This research includes a project on genetic susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The project aims to identify the genetic factors involved in AMD. The MRC also supports collaborative research efforts into the cell biology of ocular diseases, and degenerative diseases of the retina; and in 2004 awarded a total of 1.3 million for research into retinal stem cell therapy.
	The Department funds research to support policy and to provide the evidence needed to underpin quality improvement and service development in the national health service and, through its health technology assessment programme, is currently funding a study on wet AMD and two studies concerned with both wet and dry AMD. Details of these projects can be found on the programme's website at www.hta.nhsweb.nhs.uk.
	Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by NHS organisations. Details of individual projects including a number concerned with AMD can be found on the national research register at www.dh.gov.uk/research.

Midwives

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of midwives needed throughout the NHS; how many are employed in the NHS in  (a) England and  (b) Gloucestershire; what steps she (i) is taking, (ii) plans to take and (iii) has considered to reduce the shortage of midwives; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Vacancy rates confirm that there is not a national shortage of midwives. The three-month vacancy rate for England has fallen from 3.3 per cent. in 2000 to 1.0 per cent. in 2006. The three-month vacancy rate in Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority was 0.6 per cent. in March 2006.
	We met the target for 2,000 more midwives by 2005 ahead of schedule, and expect further increases in the work force as a result of increased training and return to practise. The 2005 work force census confirmed that there are more than 2,400 midwives employed in the national health service than there were in 2000.
	Local NHS organisations are responsible for developing maternity services in response to the needs of their local population, and for ensuring that they have sufficient staff, with the right skills, to offer appropriate choices.
	The number of midwives employed in the NHS in England and Gloucestershire is shown in the table.
	
		
			  NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified midwives in England and each specified organisation as at 30 September 2005 
			   Reference  Number 
			 England  24,808 
			  Of which:   
			 Total specified organisations  266 
			 Cheltenham and Tewkesbury PCT 5KW 1 
			 Cotswold and Vale PCT 5KY 43 
			 Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RTE 222 
			  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce Census

NHS (Consultancy Work)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many former chief executives of strategic health authorities are engaged in carrying out consultancy work for the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: The Department of Health does not hold records on how national health service employees (including former strategic health authority chief executives) are employed once they have left NHS employment.

NHS Trusts

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions she has had with the NHS Appointments Commission on increasing the number of non-executive directors of NHS trusts who come from areas of health deprivation; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with the Appointments Commission on this subject. However, the Appointments Commission is committed to ensuring that those appointed as non-executives are drawn from across the geographical areas served by national health service trusts.

Non-UK Nationals (NHS Care)

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of treating non-UK nationals in the NHS in the last financial year for which figures are available, broken down by county.

Rosie Winterton: Successive Governments have not required the national health service to provide statistics on the number of overseas visitors seen, treated or charged under the provisions of the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended, nor any costs involved. It is therefore not possible to provide the information requested.

PCTs

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many former primary care trust (PCT) chief executives are to be made redundant following the recent merger of PCTs; and what payments will be made to each.

Ivan Lewis: This information is not collected centrally.

Professor Mike Richards

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what Professor Mike Richards' role was in implementing information delivery of benefits to cancer patients; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: As National Cancer Director Professor Richards oversees the implementation of the national health service cancer plan, the Government's strategy for improving cancer services in England. This includes providing appropriate information to cancer patients.
	Providing cancer patients with information on benefits is an important issue and the Department has been working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to explore options for publicising information about benefits. This includes signposting people with cancer to information about benefits through helplines and website addresses on information prescriptions. Information prescriptions for people with cancer will begin piloting in early 2007.
	Additionally we have arranged for information to appear on the patient advisory liaison service (PALS) website with links to the DWP and Disability and Carers Service web pages to help provide PALS workers with information on benefits so as to better advise patients.

Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will intervene to stop the cutting of 16 tests in the maternity unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Caroline Flint: Decisions about the configuration of local services are a matter for the local national health service.

Shropshire PCT

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which  (a) posts and  (b) services in Shropshire primary care trust (PCT) are under review as a result of the requirement on the PCT to find savings in the 2006-07 financial year;
	(2)  when she expects Shropshire primary care trust to announce what measures it plans to take in order to meet its revised budget.

Caroline Flint: Formal consultation on stage 1 of the primary care trust's (PCT) strategic service plan closed on 29 September 2006. The NHS West Midlands reports that the consultation responses were considered by the PCT board at its meeting on 24 October 2006 and the following proposals were supported:
	the implementation of the existing plan to transfer the Bishops Castle Community Hospital site to the not-for-profit organization, Coverage Care, in 2007-08. This is subject to resolution of the financial impairment issue relating to the building;
	the closure of Whitcliffe mental health ward, at Ludlow Hospital;
	the deferral of the proposals for general inpatient services on Clee Ward at Ludlow Hospital until June 2007 to enable the PCT to work with South Shropshire district council and others to evaluate their alternative vision for the community hospital;
	the reorganisation of district nursing and health visiting services; and
	the closure of six beds at Whitchurch Hospital.
	Consultation is under way with staff on Whitcliffe Ward, Ludlow, and it is hoped that staff will be found suitable alternative employment.
	Shropshire County PCT and Telford and Wrekin PCT are currently undertaking the second phase of the formal consultation on the strategic service plan which is due to close on 27 November 2006. This relates to the configuration of services between the two acute hospitals, the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital. This will include children's services and urology services. We would expect announcements to be made once the PCTs have considered the responses received following the consultation exercise.

Strategic Health Authority (London)

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the selection process is for the chair of the new strategic health authority in London; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Appointments Commission, under direction from Secretary of State, undertook a full and open recruitment and selection process for all strategic health authority (SHA) chairs, including the London SHA chair. The process included the use of assessment centres and competency-based interviews.

Waiting Times

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets her Department has for waiting times for cataract operations; and what the waiting times were for such operations in each strategic health authority region in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 23 November 2006
	The maximum waiting time standard since December 2005 has been 13 weeks for first out-patient appointment and six months for in-patient treatment from decision to admit. Referrals that result in cataract operations are covered by the 18 week target for delivery in December 2008.
	Waiting time data at sub-specialty level are not available centrally. The hospital episode statistics data, unadjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension, give an approximate measure at sub-specialty level including cataracts. Data for each of the five years up to 2004-05the latest for which HES data are availablehave been placed in the Library.

TREASURY

Benefits Claimants

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which options for payment are offered to new claimants of  (a) child benefit,  (b) child tax credit and  (c) working tax credit; and if he will place in the Library copies of the relevant standard letters and leaflets.

Dawn Primarolo: Payment options for child benefit and tax credits are set out in the notes that accompany the claim forms, form CH2 for child benefit and form TC600 for tax credits. Copies will be placed in the Library.

Child Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of total real spending on  (a) child benefit,  (b) child tax credit and  (c) child trust funds for each year since 1990-91 using 2004-05 prices; what estimate he has made of likely spending in 2006-07 in 2004-05 prices; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Total real spending of  (a) child benefit,  (b) child tax credit and  (c) child trust fund, using 2004-05 prices for the years requested are tabled as follows.
	
		
			   billion 
			   Child benefit  Child tax credit  Child trust fund( 1) 
			 1990-91 7.3   
			 1991-92 7.9   
			 1992-93 8.3   
			 1993-94 8.7   
			 1994-95 8.6   
			 1995-96 8.6   
			 1996-97 8.8   
			 1997-98 8.7   
			 1998-99 8.7   
			 1999-2000 9.7   
			 2000-01 9.8   
			 2001-02 9.8   
			 2002-03 9.8   
			 2003-04 9.7 9.1  
			 2004-05 9.6 11.1  
			 2005-06 9.5 12.1 0.8 
			 2006-07   0.2 
			 (1) Government endowments. 
		
	
	For 2006-07, expenditure on child benefit is expected to be similar to that in 2005-06. No separate forecast is available for child tax credit.

Child Pornography

Si�n James: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Customs Consolidation Act 1876 in preventing child pornography from being imported into the UK;
	(2)  what action his Department is undertaking to prevent the import of child pornography into the UK.

Dawn Primarolo: The prohibition on the import of indecent and obscene material which includes child pornography is created by Section 42 of the Customs Consolidation Act 1876 (CCA). This Act places a prohibition on all visual material that is obscene or indecent including any material depicting a child under 16 years of age engaged in any form of sexual activity.
	Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs will seize imports of child pornography breaching this prohibition under section 139 (1) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (CEMA). HMRC annually assesses the effectiveness of our enforcement responsibilities and since 2004 has reported seizure data for child pornography in the HMRC Annual Reports.

Departmental Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what projection his Department has made of  (a) the total level of public expenditure and  (b) spending by each Government Department between 2015 and 2020.

Stephen Timms: The Treasury's projections of public spending out to 2055 are available at chapter 5 of the Long-term public finance report: an analysis of financial stability which was published alongside the 2005 pre-Budget report. This document can be accessed via the Treasury website.

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which statistics have been put forward by the Treasury for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets the Treasury has produced in total in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The current list of National Statistics produced by HM Treasury, and its departments and agencies, can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ns_ons/nsproducts/default.asp
	A list of changes to the scope of National Statistics (additions and withdrawals) in each of the last five years can be found in the relevant National Statistics annual report available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1051
	In addition to National Statistics, HM Treasury, and its departments and agencies, publish a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including other data produced from the management and administration of the department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term statistics sets and no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

Fruit Juices (VAT)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the merits of abolishing VAT on fruit juices; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bristol, West (Stephen Williams) on 17 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 1108-9W.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish his Department's gender equality scheme.

John Healey: The Treasury expects to publish its gender equality scheme before 30 April 2007.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to carry out gender impact assessments of his Department's major policy developments and new legislation.

John Healey: The Treasury, in partnership with other Government Departments, will consider where it would be appropriate to conduct gender impact assessments in line with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930).

HM Revenue and Customs

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information HM Revenue and Customs shares with  (a) the Department of Work and Pensions,  (b) the Home Office and  (c) the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 23 November 2006
	Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are bound by a legal duty of confidentiality that restricts them from disclosing information to any third party, including other Government Departments.
	Disclosures of information can only be made by HMRC in the very prescribed circumstances set out in statute. For disclosures to Government Departments these prescribed circumstances will normally be the consent of the person to whom the information relates or where legislation specifically authorises such a disclosure of information, (known as gateways) and HMRC have gateways with each of the Departments referred to in the hon. Gentleman's inquiry.

HM Revenue and Customs

Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether decisions may be taken on the future of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) offices before the end of the consultation process announced by the Acting Chairman of HMRC.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC will not take final decisions on the future of any individual office until after the completion of the consultation period in each region. Ahead of final decisions being taken, it is possible that some work currently undertaken in individual offices will change. Where work is moved to another location, other work of a similar skill and grade requirement will be directed to the office.

HM Revenue and Customs

Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff will be kept appraised of progress in the consultation process on the closure of rural HMRC offices.

Dawn Primarolo: The Review Programme announced by HMRC on 16 November 2006 confirmed its commitment to undertake consultation with staff before final decisions are taken on any office closure.
	Proposals for each review will be widely communicated to staff through a variety of meansthe staff intranet, written communications, and direct communications from managers.
	A report outlining the responses to the consultation exercise for each review will be made available to all staff and sent to MPs with a constituency in the area.

HM Revenue and Customs

Damian Green: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many penalty notices sent out by HM Revenue and Customs were rescinded in  (a) 2004-05 and  (b) 2005-06.

Dawn Primarolo: The total number of self assessment penalty notices issued and cancelled in the years requested were:
	
		
			   Issued  Cancelled 
			 2004-05 1,715,775 233,731 
			 2005-06 1,658,883 190,407

HM Revenue and Customs

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cash equivalent transfer value is of the public sector pensions of  (a) the acting chairman of HM Revenue and Customs and  (b) the 10 highest paid HM Revenue and Customs staff; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The current cash equivalent transfer value for the acting chairman is 1,704,650.
	The current total cash equivalent transfer value for the 10 highest paid HM Revenue and Customs staff is 5,363,179. Five of these individuals are named in the Annual Report and Resource Accounts and cash equivalent transfer value of their public sector pensions is therefore reported annually. This information is already in the public domain.

Iraq

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which programme will be funded by the additional 100 million for reconstruction in Iraq he pledged on 18 November; and from which sources the additional funding will be derived.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 23 November 2006
	The Chancellor's announcement of an additional 100 million for reconstruction in Iraq will primarily support the Department for International Development's bilateral programme for Iraq. As well as funding from the Department for International Development assistance will also be provided through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool.

Lyons Review

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what remuneration Sir Michael Lyons received for chairing the review of the location of public sector departments.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 8 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1543W.

Lyons Review

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings Treasury Ministers have had with Sir Michael Lyons in the last 12 months.

Stephen Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Pensions

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria the Government will apply to ascertain whether a person has the right religious credentials to qualify for the alternatively secured pension.

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of alternative secured pensions.

Edward Balls: I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 16 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1056W.

State School Cadet Units

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he had with the Department for Education and Skills on the announcement made on 27 June 2006 on the creation of six new state school cadet units.

Stephen Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide range of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Tax and Payroll Advice

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many small companies received direct help with administration of their tax and payroll in 2005.

Dawn Primarolo: Small businesses can obtain formal and informal assistance in complying with their tax affairs from a range of sources including Government Departments and agencies, accountants and other business advisers.
	HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) provides direct assistance through a number of targeted services to companies of all sizes, including face-to-face advice in 281 Inquiry Centres, a dedicated employers helpline and EmployerTalk events. It is not possible to identify accurately from records held centrally the number of small companies benefiting from these services in any one year.
	The following table gives the number of small businesses receiving direct assistance from HMRC's education and support teams in 2005-06:
	
		
			  HMRC assistance  Number of small businesses 
			 Workshops 75,365 
			 One-to-one meetings 48,696 
			 Exhibitions 19,159

Tax Credits

Michael Moore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) men and  (b) women in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk constituency were in receipt of tax credit at (i) 30 December 2005, (ii) 30 March 2006, (iii) 30 June 2006 and (iv) 30 September 2006.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available for the dates requested. The following table shows the estimate number of  (a) men and (b) women in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk who were claimants in in-work families with tax credits awards in payment at 5 December 2005 and 3 April 2006.
	
		
			  Thousand 
			   Men  Women 
			 5 December 2005 6.5 7.7 
			 3 April 2006 6.4 7.8 
			  Note: These estimates based on a 10 per cent. sample of single adults, and a 20 per cent. sample of couples, in tax credits awards. They are therefore subject to sampling uncertainty.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit renewals were outstanding in each month since April 2005.

Dawn Primarolo: The deadline for renewals was 30 September in 2005 and 31 August in 2006.
	
		
			  Outstanding reply-required renewals in the week ending:  Number 
			 30 July 2005 1,500,000 
			 3 September 2005 800,000 
			 1 October 2005 300,000 
			 1 July 2006 1,600,000 
			 29 July 2006 1,100,000 
			 2 September 2006 300,000

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit compliance team staff there were in each year since 2001-02; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Full-time equivalent claimant compliance staffing figures are:
	
		
			   Number (around) 
			 2003-04 1,200 
			 2004-05 1,200 
			 2005-06 1,220 
			 2006-07 1,420 
			 2007-08 1,420

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of individuals involved in large scale attempts to defraud the tax credits system.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC successfully prevent many false claims going into payment, but it is not possible to estimate how many people may be involved in such attempts.

Tax Credits

Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the tax credits computer system software was last updated; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The tax credit system is improved on a cycle of updates. The most recent update was 30 October 2006.

Tax Credits

Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how calls between tax credits helpline callers and HM Revenue and Customs are  (a) recorded and  (b) archived; how many people are employed in such processes; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: All calls to the tax credits helpline are automatically digitally recorded and archived. There is no direct staff involvement.

Tax Credits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many cases of tax credit fraud involving  (a) giro cheques and  (b) fake giro cheques his Department has investigated;
	(2)  what investigation his Department has undertaken into tax credit fraud involving giro cheques.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC takes fraud very seriously and has a range of checks in place to identify fraud. HMRC do not keep separate statistics of fraud involving giro cheques.

Tax Credits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claimants received giro cheques for  (a) regular and  (b) exceptional payment of tax credits in each of the last four years.

Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his Department's policy of distributing tax credits by giro cheque.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available in the format requested.
	HM Revenue and Customs issue automated cash cheque payments in circumstances where it is not possible to pay tax credits into a bank, building society or Post Office Card Account.
	Cash cheque payments are also made manually, in exceptional circumstances, to prevent hardship, or where a claimant is temporarily out of payment.

Tax Credits

Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the Beverley and Holderness constituency are in receipt of tax credits; how many receive tax credits by giro cheque; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates for 2003-04 and 2004-05 of the numbers of in-work families with tax credits awards by constituency, based on final family circumstances and incomes for 2003-04 and 2004-05 are published in Child and Working Tax Credits. Finalised Awards 2003-04 Geographical Analysis and the Child and Working Tax Credits. Finalised Awards 2004-05 Geographical Analysis. These publications and provisional estimates for the number of in-work families by constituency with tax credit awards as at selected dates in 2005-06 are available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.
	Information on number of people, in the constituency of Beverley and Holderness, who are receiving tax credits by giro cheque is not available except at disproportionate cost.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many compensation payments for maladministration and poor service were made by the tax credits section of his Department in each month from May 2006 to October 2006; what the total value of such payments was in each quarter since 1 April 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The circumstances in which HM Revenue and Customs will make compensation payments to its customers are explained in the Department's Code of Practice 1 Putting things right which is available at www.hmrc.gov.uk. The Department will pay compensation for reasonable costs incurred as a direct result of its mistakes or delays and to recognise worry and distress caused by those mistakes and delays. It does not keep separate details of compensation payments made specifically due to maladministration or poor service.

Tax Liability Assessments

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax liability assessments are made in respect of  (a) people and  (b) companies who buy and sell goods over the internet; what guidelines are in place on the level of trading which would constitute doing business; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The same tax rules and assessment apply to internet trading as to any other form of trading. People and companies who trade over the internet are therefore liable to register for VAT and assessable to income tax or corporation tax on their profits through self assessment like any other trader or company. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) do not separately identify internet trading, and could not identify tax liability assessments on such traders except at disproportionate cost.
	There is extensive guidance on the meaning of 'trade' for income tax and corporation tax on the HMRC website under:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/BIM20200.htm.
	More specific guidance for online trading will be published shortly.

UK Payments System

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will bring forward legislation to ensure that the UK payments system is open to new competition as announced in his Budget Statement on 21 March 2000.

Edward Balls: Following Don Cruickshank's report on competition in UK banking, the Chancellor announced in the 2003 pre-Budget report that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) would set up a Payment Systems Task Force to examine UK payment systems. The Taskforce began work in spring 2004 and in September 2006 it reached agreement on a new model for payments systems governance. On 14 November 2006, the Chancellor approved the OFT's recommendation to wind up the Task Force and to proceed with the creation of a new industry-led governing body to deliver improvements in payment systems, which will be reviewed after two years. In line with the Government's better regulation agenda, the creation of this new body does not require legislation.
	On 14 November 2006, I wrote to my right hon. Friend the Member for West Dumbartonshire (John McFall) in his capacity as Chair of the Treasury Select Committee to inform him of these developments. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

Women Pensioners

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many women he expects to reach the state pension age  (a) by April 2010 and  (b) after April 2010.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 27 November 2006:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your question asking how many women are expected to reach the state pension age by (a) April 2010 and (b) after April 2010. I am replying in her absence. (102116)
	The number of women within the United Kingdom expected to reach state pension age from April to April each year for 2006/07 to 2030/31 can be seen in the attached table.
	The figures were derived from the latest official national population projections, which are based on the population at the middle of 2004 and were published in October 2005. These projections allow for the change in the state pension age for women from 60 at April 2010 to 65 at April 2020.
	
		
			  Estimated number of women in the UK projected to reach state pension age in years April to April allowed for increase in SPA from age 60 in April 2010 to 65 by April 2020 
			   Females reaching SPA( 1)  (Thousand) 
			 2006-07 416 
			 2007-08 418 
			 2008-09 390 
			 2009-10 374 
			 2010-11 182 
			 2011-12 179 
			 2012-13 177 
			 2013-14 176 
			 2014-15 176 
			 2015-16 176 
			 2016-17 177 
			 2017-18 177 
			 2018-19 176 
			 2019-20 175 
			 2020-21 355 
			 2021-22 366 
			 2022-23 378 
			 2023-24 385 
			 2024-25 392 
			 2025-26 406 
			 2026-27 418 
			 2027-28 430 
			 2028-29 438 
			 2029-30 442 
			 2030-31 441 
			 (1) Rounded to the nearest thousand. Derived from 2004-based national population projections for United Kingdom (GAD).  Note: The above figures give estimates for the numbers in the UK population reaching SPA in the financial years shown. They do not include those emigrating from the UK before reaching SPA and who may have entitlement to some UK state pension, but do include those migrating to the UK before SPA and who are resident in the UK on reaching SPA.

Work Force Statistics

Stephen Byers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the workforce was working  (a) fewer than 16,  (b) 16 to 20,  (c) 21 to 25,  (d) 26 to 30,  (e) 31 to 35,  (f) 36 to 40 and  (g) in excess of 41 hours per week in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 November 2006:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question about the workforces' usual hours worked per week for each year since 1997.
	(103255)
	The attached table gives the usual weekly hours worked for the requested hourly bands, covering those in employment, for the three month period ending June each year since 1997. Comparable estimates are not currently available for 1998 and 2000.
	Estimates are taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  People in employment by usual weekly hours of work( 1)  1997, 1999 and 2001 to 2006 United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Three months ending June each year  Total (thousands( 2) )  Under 16 hours per week  16 to 20 hours per week  21 to 25 hours per week 
			 1997 26,356 10.3 6.3 4.5 
			 1999 26,876 9.9 6.6 4.8 
			 2001 27,438 9.1 6.8 5.1 
			 2002 27,617 9.0 7.2 5.2 
			 2003 27,863 9.2 7.2 5.1 
			 2004 28,024 9.0 7.1 5.4 
			 2005 28,193 8.8 7.3 5.4 
			 2006 28,339 8.8 7.1 5.4 
		
	
	
		
			  Three months ending June each year  26 to 30 hours per week  31 to 35 hours per week  36 to 40 hours per week  41 or more hours per week 
			 1997 4.4 6.3 27.1 41.0 
			 1999 4.5 6.2 28.5 39.5 
			 2001 4.6 6.6 29.2 38.6 
			 2002 4.7 6.9 29.5 37.5 
			 2003 5.0 6.8 30.2 36.5 
			 2004 5.2 7.0 31.0 35.1 
			 2005 5.1 7.3 31.3 34.8 
			 2006 5.2 7.2 31.9 34.3 
			 (1 )Main job only. (2) Includes those who did not state the number of hours they worked, but percentages are based on totals which exclude this group.  Note:  Comparable data are not currently available for 1998 and 2000.  Source:  ONS Labour Force Survey (LFS)

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Adapted Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her position is on the proposal for an Adapted Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: We, along with NATO Allies, are fully committed to the entry into force of the Adapted Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty and reaffirmed our position at the recent third CFE Review Conference. However, the Adapted Treaty cannot come into force until all 30 signatories have ratified it. We, and NATO allies, will ratify the Adapted Treaty once the Russian Federation has met the commitments it made with respect to Georgia and Moldova, on military withdrawals, at the 1999 Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Summit in Istanbul. With NATO Allies we have welcomed the March 2006 agreement between Russia and Georgia for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia as a further positive step, and continue to press Russia to meet its remaining commitments in full in both Georgia and Moldova.

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in implementing the National Action Plan for Peace, Reconciliation and Justice in Afghanistan; and whether she expects the programme to meet commitments set out in the Afghanistan Compact.

Margaret Beckett: The National Action Plan for Peace, Reconciliation and Justice, drafted by the Afghan Government in collaboration with UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, and adopted by the Afghan Cabinet in December 2005, sets out the Afghan Government's strategy for transitional justice until 2008. It provides for the adoption of five interrelated 'key actions' in order to ensure redress for victims and prevent the future occurrence of atrocities in Afghanistan: public symbolic measures acknowledging the suffering of victims and their families; institutional reform; truth-seeking and documentation; promotion of reconciliation; and the establishment of meaningful and effective accountability mechanisms. The international community reaffirmed their shared commitment to implement the Action Plan at the London Conference on Afghanistan earlier this year.
	The Afghanistan Compact provides that the Action Plan is to be implemented by 2008. While the Action Plan has yet to be formally launched, many of its 'key actions' are linked to progress in other areas, in particular the rule of law and efforts to tackle corruption, which are covered by the Justice for All Action Plan launched in January 2006. Efforts are underway to strengthen judicial institutions, enhance the capacity of key Afghan Ministries and develop a coherent and progressive legal framework, with the adoption in the last year of vital legislation on counter-narcotics, the Office of the Prosecutor, and the jurisdiction and organisation of courts.

African Union (Peacekeeping Forces)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had on contributing to an African Union force for peacekeeping in Darfur.

Ian McCartney: The Government are in regular discussions with potential donors as well as countries already supporting the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), to ensure that the mission receives the support it needs to carry out its operations. The UK is also a leading supporter of AMIS financially and politically. We have supplied vehicles, air transport and training to the force. We have also provided military observers and civilian police.
	The high-level meeting that took place on 16 November in Addis Ababa, attended by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development, called for UN funding of the force. Such funding is likely to be raised through assessed contributions from UN members, including the UK.

Bangladesh

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the protections afforded to freedom of speech in Bangladesh; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Although the press in Bangladesh is relatively free, there are areas of concern. These include issues of regulatory control and political influence over the business environment in which Bangladesh's media operates. A free and independent media requires governments to provide a fair and transparent regulatory environment and an equitable distribution of opportunities available to and accessible by all sectors of society.
	That journalists have been killed because of their work, and that attacks on journalists took place during a cricket Test Match in April and at a convention at Kushtia in May, is symptomatic of the climate of intimidation and violence against journalists which continues. Media professionals should be able to work freely without fear of intimidation, violence or imprisonment. Despite this, the newspaper industry has we understand, continued to grow with at least 700 daily or weekly publications serving a population of 140 million. Add to this the expanding and continually evolving electronic media, and it suggests a noticeable increase in public access to information from a wide range of independent sources.
	The UK lobbies for freedom of expression throughout the world and as part of our commitment we support a wide range of projects that aim to protect and encourage the development of a free media. Freedom of expression is an essential prerequisite for many of the values and human rights, which we and international partners strive to maintain and promote. All governments have a duty to eliminate barriers to freedom of expression and to create an environment where free speech and a free media can thrive. In this respect during his visit to Dhaka on 22-23 November, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade (Mr. McCartney), stressed to political leaders and to the press, the importance of open dialogue and issue-based campaigning, to the exclusion of violence.

Bangladesh

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the government of Bangladesh on that country's human rights record.

Kim Howells: During his visit to Bangladesh on 22-23 November, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs made clear our concern for and commitment to support human rights in Bangladesh during discussions with leaders of the main political partiesas well as with human rights activists. He also highlighted human rights issues in a widely reported speech to an audience of politicians, businessmen, and civil society representativesand also at a press conference. He specifically raised human security in the context of the current political violence and also the ongoing concern about extra-judicial killings. He urged a greater commitment to human rights work with particular attention to vulnerable and marginalised groups.
	We give human rights related work in Bangladesh high priority. Our high commission in Dhaka is actively engaged in promoting human rights in Bangladesh. The high commission raised human rights issues on a regular basis with the previous government of Bangladesh, which ended its term in October. It will do so with the next government as well.

Bangladesh

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the government of Bangladesh about the case of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.

Kim Howells: The Government have made no representations to the previous government or the current caretaker government of Bangladesh about this case, which we understand is the subject of an ongoing trial on charges of blasphemy, sedition and treason. We understand that Mr. Choudhury appeared in court in Dhaka on 13 November and that the trial has been adjourned until January 2007, at which time the prosecution is due to begin calling witnesses.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was paid in bonuses to civil servants in her Department each year since 2001-02; and how many civil servants received bonuses in each year.

Geoff Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) paid the following bonuses to staff in each of the last five years:
	
		
			   Number of recipients  Bonus element of pay award ()  Devolved bonus scheme of bonuses ()  Total value () 
			 2005-06 5,097 5,589,900 399,200 5,989,100 
			 2004-05 5,094 5,325,300 440,500 5,765,800 
			 2003-04 (1) 5,181,400 385,700 5,567,100 
			 2002-03 5,085 3,720,700 306,400 4,027,100 
			 2001-02 4,753 2,771,800 (1) 2,771,800 
			 (1) Figures have been rounded up to the nearest 100. 
		
	
	The FCO has two categories of bonus awards. The majority are awarded during the annual pay round based on appraisal evidence of performance during the year. The appraisal rating and the rank of the individual determine the size of the bonus. The median bonus payment for delegated grades in 2006 was 900. The average award for staff in the senior management structure was 5,146.
	The remainder are awards under a devolved bonus scheme, which allows Directorates to nominate staff in the delegated grades (particularly the most junior) for smaller bonuses during the year for exceptional contributions above and beyond their normal responsibilities. In financial year 2005-06, the average bonus under this scheme was 395.
	In financial year 2005-06, bonuses comprised 2.4 per cent. of the FCO's total paybill.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria a civil servant in her Department must fulfil  (a) to be considered for a bonus on top of their regular salary and  (b) to be awarded a bonus.

Geoff Hoon: All staff in the delegated grades, junior and middle-management, who have completed a minimum of six months satisfactory service and who have a performance appraisal, are eligible to be considered for a bonus as part of the annual pay awards. Bonuses are awarded on the basis of appraisal of performance. The size of the bonus is determined by the appraisal rating and the rank of the individual. The median bonus payment in 2006 was 900.
	Directorates also nominate staff in the delegated grades (particularly the most junior) for smaller bonuses during the year for exceptional contributions above and beyond their normal responsibilities. The average payment under this scheme was 395 in 2006.
	For staff in the senior management structure the funds devoted to bonus payments and the mechanism for their allocation are determined centrally for Whitehall Departments based on recommendations from the Senior Salaries Review Board. Pay panels determine eligibility for bonuses based on relative performance against peers, with the most senior officers' bonuses being decided by an independently-chaired committee. They take account in particular of achievement of challenging objectives, responses to unexpected events and specific examples of corporate leadership. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in common with other Whitehall Departments, devoted 6.5 per cent. of its paybill for senior staff in 2006 to non-pensionable bonus payments.

Bulgaria

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she last discussed the transfer of Michael Shields to the UK with the Bulgarian authorities.

Geoff Hoon: I most recently discussed Mr. Shields' transfer with the Bulgarian Europe Minister on 23 October. My hon. Friend will be aware that Mr. Shields was transferred to the UK on 23 November.

Burma

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of  (a) the visit of United Nations Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari, to Burma and  (b) the effect of his visit on (i) human rights for the Burmese people, (ii) restrictions on humanitarian aid efforts, (iii) the use of forced labour and (iv) efforts to secure the release of political prisoners;
	(2)  when she expects United Nations Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari to brief the Security Council on his visit to Burma.

Ian McCartney: I met Ibrahim Gambari on 15 November to discuss his visit to Burma. Mr. Gambari called for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners; a credible and inclusive National Convention process; the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid agencies and an early agreement with the International Labour Organisation on forced labour. He also offered to send a UN interagency technical mission to Karen State.
	Mr. Gambari also emphasised to Burma's leaders that the UN and international community expected concrete actions. However, it is too early to assess the impact the visit has had on these key issues.
	Though no date has been set, Mr. Gambari is expected to brief the UN Security Council shortly.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what preparations have been made to move the
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Ian McCartney: In November 2005, the Burmese government informed embassies that plots of land would be available in the new administrative capital of Naypyitaw from the end of 2007 for those embassies who wished to have a presence there. We have received no further information or notification from the government. At present, we have no plans to move the British embassy.

Burma

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports she has received of the Burmese regime targeting members of the Karen, Karenni, Shan and Mon ethnic groups; what recent discussions she has had with the UK Ambassador to the United Nations regarding the human rights situation in Burma; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: We receive regular reports of human rights violations against Burma's ethnic groups. I raised this issue with the Burmese ambassador on 16 June and in my letter to the Burmese Foreign Minister on 5 July. Our ambassador in Rangoon frequently raises our concerns with the regime, most recently on 23 October, when he met the Burmese Minister for Home Affairs.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no recent discussions about Burma with the UK's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Our Permanent Representative raised the situation of Burma's ethnic groups when the UN Security Council formally discussed Burma on 29 September.
	I also raised human rights in Burma with Association of South East Asian Nations ambassadors, including the Burmese ambassador, when I met them on 18 September. I discussed Burma in detail with the UN Under-Secretary General, Ibrahim Gambari, when I met him immediately after his visit there on 15 November.

Civil Service Relocation

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many jobs in her Department have been relocated  (a) to Liverpool and  (b) elsewhere as a result of the Lyons Review; and on how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for the relocation of staff under this programme.

Geoff Hoon: As a result of the Lyons Review, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has relocated 124 jobs from London to Hanslope Park, Buckinghamshire. Hanslope Park is the FCO's established regional location and has the potential to accommodate further functions. We have not, therefore, considered relocating jobs to Liverpool under this programme.

Cluster Bombs

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department's human rights monitors have made of the use of cluster bombs; why those used in the Lebanon-Israel conflict were not referred to in her Department's Human Rights Annual Report 2006; if she will ensure that such a reference is included in the next report; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UK continues to be concerned by levels of unexploded ordnance in south Lebanon.
	Cluster munitions are legitimate weapons when used in accordance with international humanitarian law.
	We are aware of allegations that Israel fired cluster bombs into civilian areas and have called on the Government of Israel to make a public statement about its use of cluster bombs during the Lebanon conflict.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2006 Human Rights Annual Report covers the period from July 2005 to late August 2006. At the time of writing, many of the details surrounding the Israel/Lebanon conflict were still unclear. A decision was made not to cover the conflict as a whole. However, we were able to insert a section about the UK's efforts to bring about a ceasefire and our plans to help with reconstruction. Additionally, two paragraphs were added to the section on Syria remarking on their unhelpful role in supporting Hezbollah. We intend to cover the Israel/Hezbollah conflict in greater detail in our next report.

Colombia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the consequences of the recent breakdown of the humanitarian accord talks between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the government of Colombia.

Geoff Hoon: There have been no formal talks between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (RARC) for over four years. In recent months, both sides have made positive gestures towards a possible humanitarian accord, which gave rise to increased optimism that an exchange of RARC prisoners held by the government for some of the many hostages held by the guerrilla group might take place. But following a succession of RARC attacks against Colombian security forces, including one which left 19 policemen dead, it is now unlikely that a discussion will resume in the short term. We have always maintained that the only solution to the conflict is through a negotiated settlement. We consistently urge illegal armed groups to enter into talks with the government.

Colombia

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what  (a) representations her Department has made and  (b) advice it has offered to the embassy of Colombia on adopting a professional public relations strategy to counter concerns on human rights in Colombia expressed by British trade unions to the Government.

Geoff Hoon: We have ongoing discussions with the Colombian Government, both through our respective embassies and through ministerial contact, about UK policy towards the country. Most such discussions cover human rights, among other issues. We frequently raise specific human rights cases with the Colombians, including human rights concerns brought to our attention by British trade unions. We have not made specific representations or offered advice to the Colombians about adopting a public relations strategy to counter British trade unions' concerns over human rights in Colombia. But we believe that it is important for an accurate picture of the human rights situation to be available to inform our discussions with the Colombian Government, British and Colombian trade unions, a view which is shared by the Colombian trade unions with which we have regular contact.

Cuba

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place between her Department's officials and officials from the US Administration on Cuba.

Geoff Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) regularly holds meetings with US administration officials that include discussions about relations with and policy towards Cuba. In those meetings, FCO officials discuss US policy towards Cuba, whilst explaining UK/EU policy: namely that we favour constructive engagement with the Cuban authorities, and we do not support sanctions and isolation. On 8 November 2006, we again voted to adopt the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the US against Cuba.

Cuba

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is her policy to support the activities of the US Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba.

Geoff Hoon: The US and EU both share an aim for Cubato encourage a peaceful transition to a pluralist democracy. However we differ on how to achieve that aim. The US favours isolation and sanctions against Cuba, while the UK is committed to the EU Common Position of 1996, which seeks constructive engagement and dialogue, with both Government and civil society. The UK therefore maintains a policy which is distinct from that of the US Commission to a Free Cuba.

Cuba

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which representatives of the UK Government met the US Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba on 16 August 2006; where the meeting took place; what the purpose of the meeting was; and what further such meetings are planned.

Ian McCartney: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials did not meet with any member of the US Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba on 16 August 2006.
	However, on that day, FCO officials met in Washington with Caleb McCarry, an official of the US State Department dealing with Cuba under the title 'Transition Co-ordinator'. It is routine for FCO officials to meet diplomatic contacts from the US State Department to discuss matters of mutual interest.
	Discussion at the meeting with Caleb McCarry concerned UK/EU and US policy in Cuba. This included ways of encouraging a process of peaceful transition towards a pluralist democracy in Cubain line with the EU Common Position. Both sides agreed that Cuban people living on the island should define the country's future. Differences between UK and US policy towards Cuba were also discussed.
	There are currently no planned meetings with US politicians in their capacity as members of the US Commission to a Free Cuba.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the UK Government took  (a) unilaterally and  (b) multilaterally towards ensuring that the general election in Congo was free and fair.

Ian McCartney: The UK provided 30 million in bilateral support to the election process. UK officials also participated in the elections steering committee, advising the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) on voting procedures, transparency and logistics to assist them in holding free and fair elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
	The UK funded Congolese election observation networks and observers sent from the UK, including eight hon. Members in the UK missions, supported the EU Electoral Observation Mission in both rounds of elections. Throughout the electoral process, the UK and international partners pressed candidates and political parties to respect the need to follow the CEI code of conduct and to ensure free and fair elections. We have encouraged any complaints on the conduct of the elections to be made through the appropriate legal channels.

Democratic Republic of Congo

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and whether she plans to press for the intervention of the International Criminal Court where appropriate.

Ian McCartney: The security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains fragile, especially in the east and northeast. Kinshasa is tense following violence on 11 and 21 November linked to the announcement of provisional election results.
	Congolese armed forces continue to be poorly paid, lack equipment and training and pose a threat to civilians. Congolese militia and foreign armed groups continue to operate in eastern DRC, and are responsible for abusing local populations.
	The UK fully supports the International Criminal Court's (ICC) involvement in the DRC and its action to bring to justice alleged perpetrators of war crimes. Thomas Lubanga, a Congolese militia leader, is the first to be put on trial by the ICC. His indictment sends a strong message to armed groups in the DRC on the need to end impunity.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff were employed through employment agencies in  (a) her Department and  (b) each of its agencies in each of the last five years for which information is available; and what the (i) average and (ii) longest time was for which these temporary workers were employed in each year.

Geoff Hoon: We do not have a central record of the numbers of staff employed under contract from agencies or the length of their contracts, and it would incur disproportionate cost to obtain this information. We do, however, have the costs for the past five financial years, which are:
	
		
			  Financial year   
			 2001-02 1,933,841 
			 2002-03 1,850,779 
			 2003-04 2,357,123 
			 2004-05 1,114,873 
			 2005-06 2,299,111

Diplomatic Service

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will estimate the cost of electronically contacting  (a) heads of missions and  (b) governors of overseas territories to ascertain their region of birth.

Margaret Beckett: The approximate cost of contacting heads of missions and governors of overseas territories and collating the information requested is 1,200, which is double the cut-off figure for disproportionate cost.

Diplomatic Service

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the current members of the internal selection board for appointing heads of mission for her Department are; and in what region each was born.

Geoff Hoon: Ambassadors and other heads of mission are mostly selected by internal competition at various boards. Individuals bid for specific posts and selections are made on the basis of a competitive process. Appointments are agreed at the appropriate political level.
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff sitting on these internal selection boards are all drawn from the senior management structure (SMS) of the FCO.
	The No 1 (Selection) Board makes recommendations for head of mission appointments in the SMS at Pay Bands 3 (Director-General) and 2 (Director). The members of the board are the five Directors-General on the FCO Board of Management listed on the FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk?About_us?FCO_Board) and one of the non-executive members of the FCO Board also takes part. The board is chaired by the Permanent Under-Secretary. They were born in:
	West Midlands
	East Midlands
	Cheshire
	Berkshire
	Buckinghamshire
	London
	Lancashire.
	The No 2 (Selection) Board makes recommendations for head of mission appointments in the SMS at Pay Band 1 (Deputy Director). Members of this board are drawn rotationally from a list of FCO Directors (who are also listed in the public domain). Membership of this board is voluntary. The current members were born in:
	London (6)
	Devon
	New Zealand
	Surrey
	Strathclyde
	Austria
	Middlesbrough
	Edinburgh (2)
	Germany
	Warwickshire
	Jamaica
	Cambridgeshire
	Somerset
	Lancashire.
	The Band D (Selection) Board makes recommendations for head of mission appointments in the Delegated Grades. Members of this Board take part voluntarily.
	Kent (3)
	Yorkshire
	Lincolnshire
	Surrey (2)
	London (2)
	Gloucestershire.
	Specific appointments will sometimes be made on an ad hoc basis by selection boards appointed for that purpose, particularly at the most senior levels.

Horn of Africa

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her assessment is of the  (a) security and  (b) political situation in the Horn of Africa; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: I am concerned at the increasing tension in the Horn of Africa. The Union of Islamic Courts is threatening the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia. Tension continues between Ethiopia and Eritrea over their disputed border. Further conflict would have severe humanitarian consequences and could destabilise the entire region. We are continuing to work with our international partners and with regional governments to achieve peaceful solutions to these disputes.

Human Trafficking

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the level of human trafficking in the Great Lakes region; what steps her Department has undertaken to facilitate the combating thereof; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: Within the Great Lakes region, armed groups, particularly those operating in north-eastern and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Northern Uganda continue to abduct and forcibly recruit children and adults to fight as combatants, or to work as porters or sex slaves.
	We continue to raise human rights issues with regional governments, in particular the need to protect vulnerable groups. We also support the robust implementation of the mandate of UN peacekeeping forces deployed in the region to disarm foreign and domestic militias. When the newly elected Congolese Government is in place, we will insist that improving respect for human rights and disarming armed groups are top priorities.

Iran

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made by Iran to the EU High Representative during recent P5+1 discussions on the  (a) P5+1 set of proposals agreed in Vienna on 1 June,  (b) conditions of negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme and  (c) suspension of nuclear enrichment by Iran as resolved by the UN Security Council; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: On 6 June, the EU High Representative, Javier Solana, presented proposals to Iran on behalf of the 'E3+3' (France, Germany, UK plus China, Russia, US). The proposals are far-reaching and intended as the basis for a long-term agreement. They would give Iran everything it needs to develop a modern civil nuclear power industry, including active support for the building of new light water reactors; co-operation in nuclear research in areas that are not proliferation sensitive and possible provision of a light water research reactor; and legally binding assurances relating to the supply of nuclear fuel.
	In return, the E3+3 asked that Iran should refrain from all uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities until international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its programme has been restored. Such activities are not essential for Iran to develop a modern civil nuclear power programme, but would allow Iran to develop know-how that could be used to produce fissile material for nuclear weapons. The suspension is a requirement of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board and the UN Security Council.
	The E3+3 proposals would establish a foundation for greater long-term political and economic co-operation between Iran and the international community, by providing assistance with Iran's World Trade Organisation application and a strategic energy partnership and a Trade and Co-operation Agreement with the EU. These benefits would help develop trade and attract foreign investment to Iran. The proposals also offer support for a new conference on regional security issues and the possible lifting of US sanctions in some areas of great benefit to the Iranian economy, including civil aircraft, telecoms and agriculture.
	The E3+3 made clear that in order for talks to begin, Iran would need to address the requirements of the IAEA Board and the UN Security Council, including the requirement that it should suspend all uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities. We said that if Iran did so, we would be prepared to suspend further action in the Security Council.
	Despite persistent efforts by Dr. Solana, the Iranians declined to engage substantively on the proposals during June and July, including at a meeting in Brussels on 11 July between Dr. Solana (supported by E3 and Russian Political Directors) and the Secretary-General of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani (and the full Iranian negotiating team). Dr. Larijani did not ask any serious questions about the proposals, and would not say whether Iran was prepared to suspend uranium enrichment activities. Since it was over three months since the Security Council had asked Iran to suspend and there was no sign that Iran was willing to do so, we decided it was necessary to resume activity in the Security Council. On 31 July, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1696, which inter alia made the suspension legally binding and asked the IAEA to report on compliance by 31 August.
	Iran formally responded to the proposals on 22 August. The lengthy response did not indicate that Iran would be prepared to meet IAEA Board and Security Council requirements. The IAEA reported on 31 August that Iran had not reinstated the suspension.
	The E3+3 remain committed to a negotiated solution and have continued to show flexibility. Despite the passing of the 31 August deadline, Dr. Solana had a series of exchanges with Dr. Larijani in September to see if Iran could be persuaded to take the steps that would allow negotiations to begin. Dr. Solana indicated that the E3+3 might be prepared to be flexible about the modalities for opening negotiations if Iran was prepared to meet Security Council and IAEA Board requirements. But after some positive indications in early September, Dr. Larijani told Dr. Solana in Berlin on 28 September that Iran was not prepared to resume the suspension. President Ahmadinejad also said publicly on 28 September that Iran would not suspend 'even for one day'. Iran has also given no indication that it is prepared to meet other IAEA Board requirements, such as the resumption of co-operation with the IAEA on Additional Protocol terms, which was also highlighted in our June proposals.
	I chaired a meeting of E3+3 Foreign Ministers and Dr. Solana in London on 6 October to review the situation. We agreed that Iran's failure to address Security Council requirements left no choice but to consult on the adoption of measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter, as envisaged in Resolution 1696. Consultations on a new Security Council Resolution have now begun. This does not mean the end of our efforts to find a negotiated solution. Ministers made clear in London that the E3+3 proposals remain on the table.
	The IAEA Director-General's latest report on 14 November again confirms that Iran has not taken any steps to reinstate the suspension. Indeed Iran began enriching uranium in a second 164-centrifuge cascade on 13 October. This is a move in the wrong direction. Iran needs to take steps that will build confidence; expanding its enrichment activities in defiance of the IAEA Board and the Security Council will only have the opposite effect.
	I am placing in the Library of the House a copy of the E3+3 proposals and the Iranian reply of 22 August, both of which have been circulated as documents of the Security Council.

Iran

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her Department's policy is on the proposed extradition to Iran of the Iranian dissidents in Camp Ashraf, South East Baghdad; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The residents of Camp Ashraf are subject to the laws of Iraq, including laws on residency and immigration. We would expect the Government of Iraq to implement these laws fairly and with due regard to the rights of those concerned. Camp Ashraf residents who have not personally been involved in illegal activities are free to leave the camp and return to their home countries if they have the appropriate travel documents. A number have already voluntarily returned to Iran, where they are now living. Some 300 of the approximately 3,500 residents of the camp have chosen to return to Iran with assistance and support from the Iraqi Human Rights Ministry and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
	Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki recently announced that he would establish a committee to look into the continuing residence in Iraq of those people living in Camp Ashraf, who in the main are not Iraqi nationals. But we are not aware of any plans to extradite Camp Ashraf residents to Iran.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether her Department has evidence of involvement by members of the Iraqi al-Da'wa organisation in the planning and execution of the terrorist attacks on the British Embassy and the British Club in Baghdad during the 1980s.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no evidence of involvement by members of the Iraqi al-Da'wa organisation in the planning and execution of the terrorist attacks on the British Embassy and the British Club in Baghdad during the 1980s. We are aware of press reports at the time of the al-Da'wa organisation claiming responsibility for the attacks. There is no indication that this link was ever proven.

Lebanon

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the political and security situation in Lebanon; and what support the UK is providing to the Government of Lebanon.

Kim Howells: The security situation has improved significantly since United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 stopped the conflict. The cessation of hostilities continues to hold and the reconstruction process is underway.
	However, the political situation in Lebanon continues to be unstable with the assassination of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel and the resignation of six Shiia members of the Cabinet.
	The UK is now focussed on assisting the Government of Lebanon in implementing UNSCR 1701, which provides a political framework for peace. To this end, the UK has committed 2.5 million to provide the Government of Lebanon with security sector assistance to allow it to exercise full control of its territory as called for in UNSCR 1701. As part of this the UK is in the process of giving 47 Land Rovers to the Lebanese armed forces. UNSCR 1701 also called on the international community to take immediate steps to extend its financial and humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people. For its part the UK has contributed 22.3 million in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance.

Lebanon

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what equipment requirements for the Lebanese armed forces the UK military team referred to in the answer of 4 September 2006,  Official Report, columns 2046-47W, have identified; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Lebanese have a wide-ranging requirement for training, equipment, including weapons, ammunition, vehicles, communications equipment aircraft and vessels.
	We are working with the Lebanese government and international partners to establish the Lebanese armed forces equipment requirements and to co-ordinate on how best to meet those requirements.
	The UK was instrumental in setting up an informal co-ordination group in Beirut, which is working well. We will continue to co-ordinate with the government of Lebanon and international partners on extending the control of the government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory as called for in UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Madagascar

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the British High Commission in Port Louis regarding the security situation in Madagascar.

Ian McCartney: Our high commission in Port Louis is following developments in the security situation in Madagascar. Following an attempt by General Andrianafidisoa to overthrow the President of Madagascar on 18 November, British residents and visitors have been advised to stay alert, as tension could rise during the build-up to the presidential election on 3 December.

Madagascar

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the actions of General Andrianafidisoa in Madagascar; and what  (a) representations she has made and  (b) further action she is taking towards ensuring that the general election to be held in Madagascar on 3 December 2006 is free and fair.

Ian McCartney: General Andrianafidisoa's attempt on 18 November to use force to displace President Ravalomanana was quickly dealt with by the Malagasy authorities. We understand that a warrant has been issued for his arrest. We have made no representations.
	We encourage all parties in Madagascar to express their views by peaceful, democratic means in the lead up to, during, and following the presidential elections on 3 December. An EU election observation team has been sent to Madagascar to monitor the elections.

Middle East

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work her Department is undertaking to examine economic aspects of the Middle East peace process.

Kim Howells: We remain concerned at the economic situation in the Occupied Territories. The economic aspect of the peace process is important. We continue to call upon both parties to implement the Agreement on Movement and Access and the dismantling of checkpoints and roadblocks. We are also working closely with HM Treasury to take work forward to improve the economic situation. I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary, gave to him on 1 November 2006,  Official Report, column 541W.

Middle East

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions  (a) she and  (b) members of her Department have had with (i) the United Nations Secretary General and (ii) his representatives on proposals to resolve the status of the Shebaa Farms area in accordance with UNSCR 1701; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have had wide ranging discussions with the UN Secretary-General and other UN officials about the situation in Lebanon, including the Shebaa Farms.
	The UK supports UN Security Council Resolutions 1680 and 1701 which call for action by Lebanon and Syria to delineate their common border, especially where the border is uncertain or disputed.
	The UN has confirmed that they are working to establish the cartographic, legal and political implications of a Lebanese proposal to place the Shebaa Farms under UN jurisdiction until border delineation and Lebanese sovereignty over them are fully settled.

Middle East

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her assessment is of progress made in the formation of  (a) a Palestinian unity government and  (b) commitment to the Quartet principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel and commitment to previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements.

Kim Howells: We welcome Palestinian President Abbas' continuing efforts to form a new government. We will look at the programme of any government closely. We want to see a Palestinian government with which we can do business. It must be based upon the three Quartet (EU, UN, US and Russia) principles: renunciation of violence; recognition of Israel; and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap. We remain concerned that neither the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, nor Hamas as a movement, has committed to these principles.

Middle East

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the publications available on the history of Israel's nuclear programme referred to in the answer of 2 May 2006 to question reference 68592 on the Middle East include all relevant documentation from the UK Government; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: I can confirm that the publications available on the history of the Israel's nuclear programme, referred to in my written answer to my hon. Friend on 8 May,  Official Report, column 54W, include declassified files from the Government from the 1950s and the 1960s, which are now held at the Public Records Office at Kew.

Middle East

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with  (a) Israel and  (b) Syria on the future of the Golan Heights.

Kim Howells: None. The roadmap remains the internationally endorsed route to a settlement of all three tracks of the Middle East Peace Process. It makes clear that issues such as the Golan Heights are for negotiation. Building momentum on the Palestinian-track in Phase I should lead to progress on all other tracks in Phases II and III. We are fully prepared to support this process, but it is essential that Syria works to support it too and not seek to undermine it by pursuing policies which reduce rather than increase the prospects of peace.

Minister for Europe

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates since his appointment the Minister for Europe has attended Cabinet; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 23 November 2006
	I attend Cabinet each week. Following are the dates on which I have attended since my appointment on 5 May 2006:
	11 May
	25 May
	1 June
	22 June
	29 June
	6 July
	13 July
	20 July
	14 September
	12 October
	19 October
	26 October
	2 November
	9 November
	16 November

Minister for Europe

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what responsibility the Minister for Europe has for Ugandan affairs.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 23 November 2006
	I only have responsibility for Ugandan affairs where they relate specifically to European matters. These activities do not constitute a significant part of my ministerial workload.

Minister for Europe

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Minister for Europe's official job title is; what his full job title as set out on the official plaque on his office is; what the previous Minister for Europe's full job title as set out on the official plaque on his door was; when that plaque was last changed; and what the cost of that change was.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 23 November 2006
	My official title is Minister for Europe.
	I do not have a plaque outside my departmental office.
	There is, however, a plastic coated sign stating Minister for Europe's office and listing the names of my private secretaries. This is the same sign used by my predecessor.

Minister for Europe

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will list the overseas visits undertaken by the Minister for Europe since his appointment.

Margaret Beckett: In line with his responsibilities, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe has visited the following member states since his appointment in May 2006 for discussions on key EU dossiers: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Poland, and the Czech Republic. He has also visited Istanbul and Ankara for talks on Turkish accession and Gibraltar and Cordoba for negotiations on the Trilateral Agreement.
	As his portfolio includes Russia, Central Asia, the South Caucasus and the Balkans, he has visited Moscow, Almaty, Astana, Tbilisi, Yerevan, Pristina, Sarajevo, Skopje and Podgorica for bilateral discussions.
	He represented the Government at the EU-Africa Migration and Development Conference in Rabat in July and was in the ministerial team who attended the United Nations General Assembly in September. He also supported my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister at the EU-Latin America Summit in Vienna in May.
	In addition, he is regularly present when the monthly General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels takes place as well as attending the European Parliament Plenary in Strasbourg. He represented me at the informal meeting of Foreign Ministers in Lappeenranta in Finland in September.
	He will visit Dublin on 20 November to give a speech at the Institute of European Affairs.

NATO

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her assessment is of the role of NATO in international relations; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: NATO remains the cornerstone of transatlantic defence, supporting security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond through its operations and missions, from Kosovo to Afghanistan. As this month's NATO summit will demonstrate, it is the key forum for transatlantic discussion and dialogue on political and security issues. Its deepening relationships with an expanding range of partners and institutions, from the European Union to Gulf countries, are also making an important contribution to meeting today's security challenges. NATO will continue this role in the future.

Nepal

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports she has received regarding the recruitment of child soldiers by Maoist rebels in Nepal; and what steps she is taking to seek an end to this practice.

Kim Howells: Maoist recruitment of children has noticeably increased in recent weeks. We are receiving many troubling reports about this from various sources. The current recruitment drive is clearly related to the move of Maoist cadres into cantonment camps. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) are monitoring the situation closely. They have been able to verify a number of these cases and expressed their public concern with the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, on 19 November. We understand their direct intervention in local cases has seen the return of children to their families and out of harm's way.
	The UK strongly supports the work of the OHCHR in its vital monitoring and prevention role. We welcome the role of the Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Nepal. Both have voiced their deep concern over child recruitment directly to the Maoist leadership. During the visit of the EU Troika our European partners met with the Maoists and publicly condemned their ongoing abduction, extortion and political violence, in a statement on 17 November. The full text of the 17 November statement can be found at the following website:
	http://europa-eu-un.org/articles/fr/article_6482_fr.htm
	Recruitment of any such kind is in direct violation of the 'Comprehensive Peace Agreement' signed so recently.
	Our embassy in Kathmandu will continue to work closely and robustly with the UN, the EU and other international partners to stop these practices.

Nuclear Disarmament

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make it her policy to promote a UN Treaty on nuclear disarmament; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government consider the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and the framework for nuclear disarmament. The UK has an excellent record in implementing its disarmament obligations under Article VI of the NPT and, in this regard, continues to press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. The Government do not support any new process, including a UN Treaty on nuclear disarmament, which could risk cutting across the existing NPT regime.

Nuclear Weapons

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the previous draft UN Nuclear Weapons Convention; if she will make it her policy to sponsor a UN resolution adopting the Nuclear Weapons Convention as a binding treaty for nuclear disarmament; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Kim Howells, gave to the hon. Member for North Devon (Nick Harvey) on 9 May 2006,  Official Report, column 183W.

Nuclear Weapons

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps her Department  (a) has taken and  (b) is planning to take in the next 12 months to implement Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The UK has undertaken many important steps in fulfilling its disarmament obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Since the end of the Cold War we have reduced the total explosive power of our nuclear forces by over 70 per cent. and we are the only nuclear weapon state to have reduced its deterrent capacity to a single nuclear weapons system, Trident.
	We continue to press for multilateral negotiations towards both nuclear, and general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control, as required by Article VI of the NPT. On nuclear disarmament our current priority is to push for negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty, without pre-conditions, at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, which we view as the next appropriate step towards achieving the goal of nuclear disarmament. On the conventional side, we remain committed to building support for a legally binding treaty on the trade in all conventional arms. The adoption on 26 October of a UN General Assembly First Committee resolution to set up a UN process, backed by a strong majority of states, is a major step forward. We will continue to work with international partners to turn this beginning into a treaty that will make a real difference.

Nuclear Weapons

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her assessment is of the possible effects of NATO's  (a) nuclear-sharing policy and  (b) nuclear first-use policy on the proliferation of nuclear weapons; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) today (UIN 102567).

Pakistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what measures the President of Pakistan indicated would be taken to deal with the Taliban and reduce the level of activity across the border into Afghanistan during his meeting with the Prime Minister on 28 September;
	(2)  what representations have been received from the Pakistan Government on steps to secure the Pakistan-Afghanistan border; and what UK assistance is being considered.

Margaret Beckett: President Musharraf made clear during his meeting with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 28 September at Chequers, and more recently on 19 November during my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's visit to Pakistan, his continued commitment to combating terrorism, and support for stability in Afghanistan.
	Pakistan has moved considerable resources to the border regions to quell insurgent activity and prevent illegal cross border traffic. In addition the Pakistani authorities continue to arrest significant numbers of Taliban members and where appropriate extradite them to Afghanistan.
	As part of a common effort to counter terrorism, the Government are providing training and capacity building to the Pakistan authorities in their efforts to counter Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan.
	The Government are considering how it might complement the existing US Border Management Initiative, designed to help both the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to manage border issues more effectively, in an effort to further reduce the Taliban threat.
	The Government are supporting a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees project to register Afghans living in refugee camps close to the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. The ID cards project will be a significant tool for wider border management policies.
	The UK also provides a wide range of bilateral and multilateral assistance to Pakistan as an important element in seeking to disrupt the activities of Afghan drug trafficking groups. This includes providing equipment and training, particularly to their Anti Narcotics Force, to assist with interdiction of opiates on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border.

Palestine

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her US counterpart on proposals to strengthen Palestinian security forces; and what assessment she has made of  (a) the US's proposals and  (b) the extent to which agreement with the US was reached in such discussions.

Kim Howells: We continue to support US Security Co-ordinator General Dayton's work on strengthening the Palestinian Security Forces. Officials remain in regular contact with General Dayton's team. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with her US counterpart on General Dayton's work.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) today (UIN: 101959).

Russia

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of civil liberties in Russia.

Geoff Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) 2006 Annual Report on Human Rights, released on 12 October, sets out a range of concerns about human rights, democracy and rule of law in Russia. The report outlines, amongst other issues, our concerns about: restrictions on the activities of civil society, a lack of media freedom, restrictions on certain minority religious groups, judicial independence and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.
	We continue to engage with Russia on human rights issues, critically as necessary. The report also details when FCO Ministers have raised these and other human rights issues with the Russian authorities, over the last 12 months. It is available on the FCO website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=1007029391629a=KArticleaid=1159199142618%20year=2006month=2006-10-01date=2006-10-12

Rwanda

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's position is on the French judicial authorities' indictment of President Kagame of Rwanda for his role in the genocide.

Geoff Hoon: We understand that a French judge carried out an investigation into the shooting down of President Habyarmana's plane in 1994 at the request of the families of the French crew that died in the crash. The French authorities have issued arrest warrants for nine Rwandan officials. We are not aware of an arrest warrant for President Kagame.
	We applaud the progress made in Rwanda since the genocide. The UK has been a leading donor for several years and we will continue to support Rwandan development and the country's impressive efforts to move forward after the appalling events of 1994.

Somalia

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions her Department has had with representatives of Somalia's transitional Government; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, met the Foreign Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, His Excellency Ismail Mahmoud Hurre, on 1 November following extensive meetings during the United Nations General Assembly in September. Officials from our High Commission in Nairobi also meet representatives of Somalia's Transitional Federal institutions regularly.
	We urge all parties in Somalia to respect the Transitional Federal Charter, honour the agreements concluded in Khartoum and to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Somalia

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of reports that fighters from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Eritrea have entered Somalia in support of the Union of Islamic Courts; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: The report of the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia alleges that foreign fighters have entered Somalia in answer to calls for jihad that have been uttered by members of the Union of Islamic Courts. We have no reliable assessment of the numbers involved. We continue to urge all parties in Somalia to renounce violence and resolve their differences through dialogue.

Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government played a role in the recent visits of the hon. Member for Mid-Ulster (Mr. McGuinness) to Sri Lanka to hold discussions with the Tamil Tigers.

Kim Howells: The Government have played no role in the recent visits of the hon. Member for Mid-Ulster to Sri Lanka. We understand that he travelled to the country at the invitation of a Sri Lankan non-governmental organisation, the Institute for Political and Conflict Transformation. We welcome efforts by participants in the Northern Ireland peace process to share their knowledge with Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts her Department has made with organisations representing the Tamil people of Sri Lanka in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Officials of our High Commission in Colombo have frequent contact with groups representing the full spectrum of views of Sri Lanka's Tamil population. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials also regularly meet visiting Tamil representatives and members of the Diaspora population resident in the UK.

Sri Lanka

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the government of Sri Lanka on achieving a ceasefire with the Tamil Tigers; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government regularly discusses the implementation of the Cease-Fire Agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met President Rajapakse of Sri Lanka in August, my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Timms), met the President in September and my right hon. Friend the Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy) met representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in November. Our High Commissioner in Colombo and his officials discuss issues relating to the conflict with Sri Lankan government representatives on a daily basis.
	We strongly support the work of Norwegian facilitators to achieve peace in Sri Lanka. The continuing loss of life is tragic and unnecessary. We call on both sides to abide by their existing commitments, restated in Geneva in October, to uphold the 2002 Cease-Fire Agreement and demonstrate this in their actions.

Sri Lanka

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings her Department has held with humanitarian groups in Sri Lanka to discuss the effects of the conflict in the North and East of the country in the last 12 months.

Kim Howells: Officials from our High Commission in Colombo meet humanitarian agencies regularly to discuss the situation in the north and east. They have participated in five multi-donor field trips to conflict affected areas since the beginning of October.

Sudan

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has held on the provision of peace keeping troops in Darfur with  (a) the African Union and  (b) the United Nations; and what (i) support, (ii) advice and (iii) resources she is willing to provide to that end.

Ian McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development attended a high-level meeting on the future of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in Addis Ababa on 16 November. The meeting was co-chaired by the African Union (AU) and UN, and reached consensus on plans to increase UN support to AMIS over three phases.
	The first phase is a light package of support for command and control, logistics and planning. The second phase will enhance infrastructure, military and police training, ground and air assets. The third phase, agreed in principle, will involve a joint AU/UN peace-keeping operation of up to 17,000 plus 3,000 police.
	The UK continues to support AMIS. We have given 20 million this year, taking the total UK contribution to 52 million. We also provide both Military Observers and Civilian Police to AMIS through the EU. The 16 November meeting agreed on the need for UN funding for the force in Darfur. Assuming such funding came from assessed contributions, the UK would be liable for 7.4 per cent. of the total.

Sudan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the extension of the UN arms embargo to cover the whole of the Sudan; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: The UK strongly supported UN Security Council Resolution 1591 which imposed an arms embargo on Darfur. There are no current proposals to extend this embargo to the rest of Sudan.
	However, the UK is a leading proponent of Security Council action to help improve the appalling situation in Darfur. With our Security Council partners we will consider all options, including further measures, which may help achieve this.
	In addition we are working with partners to ensure that the existing arms embargo is more effective. We are providing additional resources to the African Union and the UN Sanctions Panel of Experts whose combined responsibility it is to implement and monitor the embargo.

Thailand

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of freedom of speech in Thailand; and what discussions she has had with  (a) the UK Embassy in Bangkok and  (b) the British Ambassador to the United Nations on the matter.

Ian McCartney: Our embassy in Bangkok continues to monitor the situation in Thailand and report on restrictions on the freedom of expression. We would like to see the lifting of martial law as soon as possible and the early re-establishment of full democracy. We have been working with our EU colleagues and others to urge the new administration to move rapidly in that direction.
	Some restrictions were placed on the media both during and after the coup. A number of websites and local radio stations have been closed down.
	There have been no discussions with the UK's Permanent Representative to the United Nations on this issue.

Tonga

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the UK Government  (a) have committed and  (b) plan to commit to support democracy in Tonga; what discussions she has had with the New Zealand Foreign Ministry regarding its efforts to bring peace to Tonga; and what discussions she has had with the British high commission in Nuku'alofa regarding the current conflict.

Ian McCartney: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is providing 20,000 for a constitutional adviser to advise the Government of Tonga on constitutional reform and development and on the drafting of a new constitution. This project is being jointly funded with the Commonwealth Secretariat. The adviser will offer assistance on developing and drafting a new constitution which includes making two assessment visits to Tonga. The first visit was in March 2006. The adviser will report back to the Commonwealth Secretariat on the outcome of each of the visits. The FCO has no plans at this stage to provide further support for the constitutional reform process in Tonga.
	I discussed the issues of democracy and constitutional reform with the Tongan Prime Minister when I met him in Fiji in October.
	Officials from the FCO and our high commission in Wellington met with representatives from the New Zealand high commission in London and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, respectively, to discuss the situation in Tonga.
	Following the closure of our high commission in Nuku'alofa in March 2006 responsibility for the UK's relations with Tonga have been handled by our high commission in Suva, Fiji. Officials at the FCO have been in regular contact with our high commission in Suva to discuss the current situation in Tonga.

Uzbekistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of the  (a) arms embargo and  (b) restrictions on admission to the European Union included in the restrictive measures against Uzbekistan adopted by the EU on 14 November 2005.

Margaret Beckett: We believe that the EU's twin approach to Uzbekistan of restrictive measures while keeping open the channels for dialogue has had some impact. The EU measures and the EU-sponsored UN Resolution in November 2005 signalled to Uzbekistan that they could not normalise their foreign relations without movement on human rights and Andizhan. The EU has seen a new willingness to engage on the part of the Uzbek Government. Pierre Morel, the EU Special Representative to Central Asia, visited Tashkent in October. On 8 November an EU-Uzbekistan Co-operation Council took place, the first since 2004. The EU is now exploring Uzbekistan's offer of an expert-level meeting on the events in Andizhan and a structured dialogue on human rights.
	We are encouraged by the acquittal of the independent journalist Ulugbek Khaidarov on 7 November and the freeing of human rights defender Arabboy Qodirov on 13 November. We hope that these are signals of a readiness on the part of the Uzbeks to review cases against other human rights defenders and independent journalists in prison. We also note the dropping of the case against the non-governmental organisation (NGO), US Development Assistance Inc., and hope that this can lead to the resumption of the work of leading international NGOs in Uzbekistan.
	However, we continue to have serious concerns about the overall lack of progress on human rights in Uzbekistan. These are detailed in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's latest 2006 Annual Human Rights Report and were behind our decision to co-sponsor a new United Nations General Assembly resolution on Uzbekistan in November 2006.

Uzbekistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the restrictive measures against Uzbekistan adopted by the EU on 14 November 2005 were last reviewed  (a) by her Department and  (b) at the European Council; and what the findings were of each review.

Margaret Beckett: The UK played an active role when the EU, through October and early November 2006, reviewed the restrictive measures on Uzbekistan against the criteria set out in October 2005. At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 13 November 2006, EU Foreign Ministers extended the arms embargo for 12 months and the targeted visa ban for six months, but also decided to lift the suspension of technical meetings under the EU-Uzbekistan Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA). This proportionate response by the EU balanced recognition of the lack of progress made by Uzbekistan towards the October 2005 criteria, with acknowledgement of the recent overtures made by the Uzbeks to open up a dialogue on both Andizhan and human rights issues. A structured dialogue through the PCA, will enable the EU to exploit new opportunities for dialogue to improve the human rights situation in Uzbekistan.
	EU Foreign Ministers undertook to review these measures again in three months time. This review period signals to the Uzbeks that we expect progress to have been made by then on the proposed EU-Uzbek experts talks on Andizhan and the structured dialogue on human rights. It keeps up the momentum for the improvements we want to see in Uzbekistan. The review will include an assessment on whether the dialogues on Andizhan and human rights have led to substantive progress on the ground in Uzbekistan.
	We remain profoundly concerned about the situation in Uzbekistan. We continue to monitor the situation there closely. We shall continue to judge the Uzbeks by their actions, not just by their words, when we come to review the EU's remaining measures against the EU's criteria.

Uzbekistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of  (a) freedom of political and religious expression in Uzbekistan and  (b) the Uzbek government's observance of human rights.

Margaret Beckett: We remain profoundly concerned about the situation in Uzbekistan. We monitor closely the level of freedom of political and religious expression there.
	The Government of Uzbekistan's response to the events of 12-13 May 2005 in Andizhan resulted in a further clampdown on political and religious freedom of expression in Uzbekistan. Those human rights defenders, independent journalists and members of the political opposition who questioned the Uzbek authorities' version of events in Andizhan have been subjected to detention, harassment and trials, many of them behind closed doors. These have caused serious international concern.
	We are also disturbed by the increasing reports of discrimination, harassment and criminal prosecutions of Muslims accused of religious extremism, as well as harassment of religious minorities, notably Protestant Christians. A new law, passed in June 2006, outlawed the illegal production, storage, import or distribution of religious material in Uzbekistan.
	Over the past year Uzbekistan has adopted legislation restricting the media and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), in contravention of its international obligations, expelled international NGOs from the country, and refused to allow international experts to visit. Our concerns are set out in detail in the latest Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2006 Annual Human Rights Report, of which I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.
	Nevertheless, we are encouraged by the Uzbek government's recent agreement to open a dialogue with the EU on human rights. We hope that this will lead to substantive progress in lifting the restrictions on religious and political freedom of expression, as well as a resumption of co-operation by the Uzbek government with international experts in the UN and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The EU's response to these developments is set out in my answer today (UIN 101974).

Venezuela

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which UK observers she expects to be in Venezuela for the forthcoming presidential election; when those observers will arrive in Venezuela; and how long after the election she expects them to remain.

Geoff Hoon: The Government are supporting the European Union election observation mission (EOM) in Venezuela. UK observers form part of the team, which is approximately 120 strong. Most mission members are now in Venezuela. The leaders of the EOM are responsible for deciding exactly when the observers will finish their work and leave the country. We are also aware of an invitation from the Venezuelan electoral authorities to British academics, hon. Members, trade unionists and local councillors to observe the elections.

Visas

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when UKvisas will provide the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) with the reply dated 11 October 2006 about the case of Mr. K. H. (reference GV100/095780/SU) referred to in the answer of 16 October 2006,  Official Report, column 965W.

Kim Howells: A second copy of UKvisas reply of 11 October to the hon. Member for Aylesbury was faxed to his office on 22 November.

Work Experience Placements

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which regions those on work experience placements in her Department resided in each of the last five years.

Geoff Hoon: In 2006, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) offered work experience placements to 48 candidates. They resided in the following regions:
	
		
			   Number 
			 South East 27 
			 South West 7 
			 Wales 1 
			 Midlands 6 
			 North East 2 
			 North West 1 
			 Scotland 3 
			 Northern Ireland 0 
			 Channel Islands 1 
		
	
	In 2005, the FCO offered work experience placements to 25 candidates.
	
		
			   Number 
			 South East 14 
			 South West 3 
			 Wales 1 
			 Midlands 3 
			 North East 1 
			 North West 1 
			 Scotland 1 
			 Northern Ireland 1 
		
	
	The FCO information management system does not hold information on the regional location of work experience candidates prior to 2005. Details on the number of candidates placed each year since 2001 are listed for reference.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2004 33 
			 2003 30 
			 2002 39 
			 2001 52 
		
	
	The majority of the schemes operated by the FCO are open to applicants from across the United Kingdom and are selected on merit following fair and open competition.

Zimbabwe

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reasons were cited for Zimbabwe's expulsion from the Commonwealth; under what conditions or circumstances the country would be readmitted; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: Zimbabwe was not expelled from the Commonwealth. It was Mugabe's decision to withdraw completely in 2003 after Zimbabwe was suspended by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 2002 for failing against the key principles of good governance, enshrined in the Commonwealth's Harare Declaration of 1991. These include the right to free and fair elections and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
	Like all our partners we look forward to the day when a democratic Zimbabwe can rejoin the Commonwealth should it apply to do so. But currently Mugabe pursues policies which hurt rather than help ordinary Zimbabweans. We urge the Government of Zimbabwe to change course by choosing policies that ensure full respect for the Harare Declaration, economic stability and development in Zimbabwe, not humanitarian misery.